MATCH REPORT | Guiseley 0-1 Southport

Jack Sampson’s 20th goal for Southport in all competitions helped the Port to a crucial 1-0 away win at Guiseley AFC.

His second half tap in from Jason Gilchrist’s pass across the face of goal, was enough to see the Sandgrounders rise to 12th National League North.

History repeated itself as Sampson proved to be the difference some seven weeks after downing the Nethermoor Park side at Haig Avenue.

A caged first half brought little excitement but the best chance fell to the struggling hosts when the Lions skipper Scott Garner’s header forced Dan Hanford into a brilliant diving save.

Southport’s best chance fell to the match winner but he failed to test Marcus Dewhurst, misjudging Dion Charles in-swinging delivery and heading wide.

The Port players celebrate Sampson’s goal. Photo by Julia Urwin

With Captain Morgan leading Liam Watson’s side with the wind in their sails, it only took the visitors eight minutes to get the breakthrough following the restart.

Gilchrist fired across goal to the Southport top scorer, following Morgan’s incisive pass, who tapped home into an empty net after shrugging off his marker.

With a game in hand and a three-point breathing space ahead of the final relegation place, Guiseley continued to attack, however they failed to test the Southport goal.

As the clock ticked on with the all-three points in sight, pushing to secure the win, Port were inches away from doubling their lead.

David Morgan was whiskers away from getting his seventh of the season, substitute Jordan Archer burst down the left flank, Morgan received the cut back and poked his effort goal wards, with Dewhurst beaten, he failed to pick out the bottom right corner.

The win for Southport sees them leapfrog Blyth Spartans to within eight points of the final playoff spot.

Their time on the road continues as they travel to promotion-chasing Spennymoor on Tuesday night.

Guiseley AFC: Dewhurst, Moyo, Heaton, Purver, Garner (c), Halls, Hatfield (Dyche 74), Digie, Liburd, Odejayi (Clayton 67), Felix (Francis 84).
Subs not used: Cantrill, Morrison.

Southport; Hanford, Platt, Ogle, Edwards, Astles, Morgan (C), Charles, Lacey (Parry 73), Gilchrist (Archer 84), Sampson, Bauress (Green 81).
Subs not used: Richards, Homson-Smith

Attendance: 761

Referee: Sam Barrott

Report by Stephen Killen