Non-League: Belper Town, 0 Southport 3

Oct 15 2007 by Colin Hill, Liverpool Daily Post

Late brace seals tie in see-saw struggle

TWO late goals secured Southport’s place into the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup as it looked as though Belper were going to force an equaliser.

Southport found themselves a goal up inside the first minute as Mark Duffy’s free-kick was headed goalward by Tony Gray with the ball sailing high in the air, perplexing Adam Ogden, with the ball sneaking in having deflected off the leg of the bemused keeper. Gray had two more early opportunities to increase the scoreline but both his chances skimmed wide.

Belper asserted themselves creating several daunting moments for the Southport defence as Mark Smith forced Whiteside to palm away a close effort and in the second half Ross Hannah caused alarm at the back setting up Smith but the chances failed to force the threatened equaliser.

With 15 minutes remaining, Southport counter-attacked. Whiteside threw the ball long to Chris Holland down the left channel, with his surge forward leaving Kotylo stranded.

He clipped the ball across to Gray, who slotted the ball home from close range.

Five minutes later Southport sealed their victory as Mark Houghton laid the ball across goal to the advancing Mark Duffy who guided the ball home.

SOUTHPORT: Whiteside, Lever, Newton, Hocking, Lee, Holland, (Prout), Duffy, Blakeman (Houghton), Gray, Powell, Watt (Prince). Subs: Smith Noon.

BELPER: Ogden, Colliver, (Gummer), Rushbury, Kotylo, Middlleton, Hobson, Hudson, Stevenson (Lopes), Wilson, Hannah, Smith (Toronczak). Subs: Appleyard, Carney.

REFEREE: Mr Ricky Wootton (Wakefield)

ATT: 382.