REPORT | Leamington 1-0 Southport

REPORT | Edged Out

A late Joe Parker goal was all that separated the two sides as the Port were defeated by Leamington on a dreary afternoon in Warwickshire.

It was a slow start to proceedings, taking up to the 26th minute for either side to carve out a chance.

That chance would go Port’s way as a Reagan Ogle long throw caused havoc in the Leamington penalty area, the ball eventually fell to Ryan Astles but he couldn’t keep his left footed volley on target, sending it just wide of the post.

Leamington had the chance to take the lead on the verge of half-time as Joe Parker put the ball over the crossbar from five yards.

Southport looked the better side for the majority of the second half with George Newell and Reagan Ogle both putting chances narrowly wide as the visitors searched for a winner.

However, that winner would eventually go the hosts way as Jack Storer headed the ball back across the goal mouth from a deep cross for Joe Parker to poke beyond Dan Hanford in the Southport goal.

There were late penalty shouts for Port as Brad Bauress lunged for a ball in the box only to be kicked in the head by a Leamington defender but referee Dean Watson waved away the protests of Port’s players and fans.

Port travel to second-placed King’s Lynn Town next weekend as they play their sixth away game in seven matches against the promotion chasing Norfolk side.

Leamington: Weaver, Martin, Morley, Gittings, Mace, Lane, Parker, Maycock (Clarke 90), Storer (Taylor 88), Edwards, Walters (Anderson 66).

Subs not used: Meredith, Dunbar.

Southport: Hanford, Sanders, Doyle, Winnard (Mohammed 34), Astles, Benjamin, Ogle, Oliver, Newell, Sampson, Woods (Bauress 63).

Subs not used: Albinson, Morgan, Parry.

Attendance: 458

Referee: Dean Watson

Written by James Houghton