SOUTHPORT regained their place in the Blue Square North play-off positions as a second successive away hat-trick from Tony Gray secured the points at The Lamb.
Peter Davenport included his two late signings, as Hartlepool one-month loan signings Michael Rae slotted in alongside Gray, and ex-Tranmere youth player Oliver James, who signed from Forest Green, slotted into defence for the second half replacing Danny Holmes, who returns to Prenton Park.
Rae looked impressive alongside Gray setting the striker up for his first goal. Rae placed a dangerous ball in from the right which Elliot Jones could not keep hold of, allowing Gray to pounce on the loose ball slotting in from close range.
Gray extended Southport’s lead just before the interval as a horrible clearance from Craig McAughtrie went straight to the Port striker, who set himself up beautifully on the edge of the box, volleying the ball beyond the bemused keeper.
Gray completed his hat-trick shortly into the second half as a well-worked free-kick involving four Southport players got the ball through to Gray on the edge of the box, who blasted the ball into the net.
The Lambs pulled one back just after the hour from Chris Nurse.
TAMWORTH: Jones, Lyttle (Briscoe 75), Langdon, Smith, McAughtrie, Foster, Bampton (Marrison 54), Nurse, Reed (Williams 71), Wright, Sheldon. Subs: Sheridan, Richter.
SOUTHPORT: Drench, Holmes (James 46), Barrett, Hocking, Lee, Holland, Prince, Blakeman, Rae (Houghton 43) , Gray, Powell. Subs: Prout, Smith, Hine.
REFEREE: James Cox (Evesham). ATT: 767.
