Having opened the season with a victory against Boston United, Southport made the journey to Lincolnshire for the return fixture needing a result to kick-start their campaign.

The Sandgrounders registered a 4-0 win on the opening day, but this match, and the way in which the result came about, was symptomatic of how their season has since unravelled.

In August, the aim for Southport was to begin a recovery after relegation last season, but four months on and having stretched their winless run to 16 matches, those early summer games are a distant memory.

The Sandgrounders continued their recent habit of taking the lead only to relinquish it, as they conceded twice in the closing stages to fall to within a point of the relegation zone in the Vanarama National League North having been overtaken by Boston.

A bleak winter has set in and, as the temperatures have plummeted, so too has Southport’s form and league position.

Two first-half goals from Jason Gilchrist looked to have put the Sandgrounders in command but, just as in their last match against Tamworth, the striker’s exploits were rendered inconsequential as Kevin Davies’ team were left to rue familiar failings.

With six goals in his three starts since joining from FC United of Manchester, Gilchrist has provided the Sandgrounders with the cutting edge they needed but it is at the opposite end where the team’s troubles persist.

In the ten matches under Davies, Southport have been in a winning position six times before surrendering the lead, equating to 11 points dropped – seven in the closing ten minutes of games – and failure to progress in the Buildbase FA Trophy.

Having conceded the first goal, Southport drew level within eight minutes when Gilchrist dispatched a clinical finish after being played into the Boston area by Jack Sampson.

By the break, Gilchrist had converted an effortless penalty after goalkeeper George Willis felled Jordan Hallam but the second half turned into a frustratingly familiar tale.

Boston had initially taken the lead with a penalty of their own, goalkeeper Jon Worsnop catching the feet of Reece Thompson, allowing Ashley Hemmings to score.

After a slow start, Southport played their way into the match and by half-time there was an air of confidence to their performance.

Gilchrist drew a near-post save from Willis early in the game before Hallam slid a shot just wide in the second half after a quick counter-attack.

But just as they did at Tamworth, Southport dropped deeper as the second period continued, allowing the home team to build pressure.

With the Sandgrounders conceding space to their opponents, Thompson blazed over and goalkeeper Worsnop pushed away a header from the striker.

Substitute Kabongo Tshimanga netted a fine finish ten minutes from time, taking a pass from Steve Brogan before turning smartly in the area and, as full-time loomed, Brad McGowan claimed the winner, bundling the ball in after Worsnop failed to claim a free-kick from Hemmings.



Boston United (4-4-2): Willis, Clifton, Beatson (Thanoj 46), McGowan, Curry (Brogan 46), Rollins, Keane, Abbott, Hemmings, Smith (Tshimanga 73), Thompson.
Subs not used: Walker, Stabana.

Southport (3-4-3): Worsnop, Howson, Sheron, Priestley, Jackson, Lynch, Morgan (Schumacher 88), Richards, Hallam (Dawson 85), Sampson, Gilchrist (Lowe 78).
Subs not used: Hine, Smith.

Attendance: 784

Referee: Scott Simpson

Report by Alan Jones