SOUTHPORT created a club record when Karl Ledsham's second-half goal earned them a 1-0 victory at Stockport County.
It was the Sandgrounders' eighth successive away win and ensured they remain well in the mix for the Blue Square League's Premier Division crown.
The triumph was all the more impressive as Liam Watson's team were reduced to 10 men as early as the fifth minute, Shaun Whalley red-carded for a foul on County keeper Mark Halstead.
But a mistake by Halstead allowed Ledsham to pounce for the match-winner 16 minutes from time. Port are third in the division, just three points behind Wrexham and Fleetwood Town who are each on 44 points.
In the FA Trophy third qualifying round clash involving two of our local sides, Vauxhall Motors emerged victorious against Marine.
Leighton McGivern's eighth minute goal gave Motors the lead, but by half-time Marine were ahead via a Paul Jones own goal and Joe Fowler effort.
Another own goal, this time by Marine's Aaron Rey, levelled proceedings midway through the second period before McGivern netted again 12 minutes from time to send Vauxhall through.
Meanwhile, in front of a crowd of 1,481, visitors Chester FC booked their place in the next round with a 2-0 victory at FA Cup giantkillers Stourbridge.
The Glassboys, who had beaten Plymouth Argyle earlier in the week in an FA Cup first round replay, saw their Trophy hopes shattered as Chester advanced via second-half goals from Iain Howard and Matty McNeil.
IN the Evo-Stik League's First Division North, Skelmersdale United's title quest was dealt a blow as they fell to a 3-1 defeat at home to AFC Fylde.
Keigan Parker put Fylde ahead on 22 minutes but Skem were level at the break thanks to a Paul Woolcott goal. However, two goals in the second period from Joseph Booth and Bradley Barnes earned the three points for the north Lancastrians.
Meantime, at the other end of the division, Cammell Laird notched only their second victory of the campaign defeating Durham City 3-2.
David Dowson's 23rd minute goal put City in front but a Jack McGowan penalty on the hour restored parity. A spot-kick from Durham's Stephen Thompson on 72 minutes put the north-easterners ahead again, but Mark Stewart's strike five minutes later made it 2-2. And the Laird comeback was completed when David McNamara's effort 10 minutes from time won the game.
Elsewhere, Warrington Town enjoyed a comfortable 4-0 victory over Garforth Town at Cantilever Park. Anthony Hickey, Allan Collins, Sam Finley and Kyle Hamid grabbed the goals for Town. Prescot Cables had no luck on their trip to Radcliffe Borough going down 1-0 to a Dennis Sherriff goal 20 minutes from time.
