SOUTHPORT opened up a three point lead at the top of the Blue Square North with a 2-0 victory at Workington on Saturday.

Port kicked off the game at Borough Park aware Droylsden had knocked them off pole position in the division on goal difference after the Bloods had dispatched Vauxhall Motors 2-1 in an early kick-off. But, despite a shaky start where Workington threatened on a number of occasions, the Sandgrounders opened the scoring after 24 minutes when defender Chris Lever scored his first goal in nearly two years.

Though Workington remained willing opposition throughout the game, Liam Watson’s men looked assured at the back and proved ruthless in attack as they doubled their lead eight minutes after the break.

Striker Ciaran Kilheeney robbed Kyle May of the ball in the home area before squaring to Steve Daly to slot home his ninth league goal of the campaign.

Former Southport striker Tony Gray was the man responsible for Droylsden’s win at Vauxhall Motors, scoring twice inside the first 25 minutes.

Josh Wilson pulled one back for the Rivacre Park side on 51 but Carl Macauley’s men could not find the equaliser.

The defeat leaves them second bottom in the division.

Meanwhile, in the UniBond League Premier Division, Burscough had to rely upon a late Dave Roberts strike to salvage a draw at home to Whitby Town.

Roberts had given the Linnets a 55th-minute lead but two goals in nine minutes from Jimmy Beadle put the visitors ahead before the late equaliser.

The draw keeps Andy Gray’s men in 12 position in the table, one place behind Marine who suffered a 3-0 loss at Matlock Town.

Two goals either side of the break and one with less than 15 minutes remaining killed off the Mariners’ hopes.