FA TROPHY 3rd ROUND
Report and photos by Sally Devine
SOUTHPORT having home advantage and playing a team mid table in the Conference North should have won this game comfortably but were stretched all the way finally equalising deep into stoppage time.
Hucknall were on top of their game in the first half swamping Southport with swift attacks the first goal coming on 18 minutes, number nine Gary Ricketts executing a neat overhead shot which beat Dickinson. The Sandgrounders chances were sporadic, Kevin Leadbetters shot narrowly wide of the target and Fearns well shackled by a resolute Hucknall defence.
The visitors second goal came on 22 minutes, Bacon sending a crisp shot from 6 yards out past the Southport keeper.
Liam Watson sent on 3 substitutes after 60 minutes that proved to be the turning point in the game for Southport. Terry Fearns beat the offside trap, which Hucknall had played all afternoon and with only the keeper to beat scored comfortably from 8 yards out.
Chris Price then hit the bar as Southport finally believed they could get something out of the game.
Hucknall were down to 10 men as Winder was dismissed for a crude heavy tackle on midfielder Dom Morley. Four minutes were signalled as time added on and Steve Daly came to Southport's rescue heading a Jimmy Williams cross into the net to the delight of the crowd.
Southport are away at Kettering this Saturday 22 January as they bid to topple the current league leaders of the Conferenc North.
