REPORT | Trophy Progress

Southport came from behind to book their place in the Buildbase FA Trophy Second Round.

Brad Bauress, Ryan Astles and Jack Sampson were on target as the Port recovered an early deficit and secured an impressive win.

The home side were behind as early as the third minute when former Port striker Jason Gilchrist found the target but Liam Watson’s side created plenty of chances as they battled back. They will now travel to holders AFC Fylde in the Second Round.

The Port manager made two changes to the team which drew 2-2 in the original tie in the North East on Saturday, including a full debut for Charlie Oliver at right-back.

The evening started badly when Gilchrist, on his first return to the Pure Stadium since his departure in the summer, found the target with a deflected strike.

Southport’s response was good, Bauress shooting just wide before chances for Morgan and Wood.

The home team drew level on 17 minutes, Bauress rifling a shot across goal and into the far corner after a knock-down from Jack Sampson.

It gave the Port a platform to apply further pressure, as Raul Correia, returning to the starting line-up, rounded Myles Boney, only for the Shields goalkeeper to recover.

At the other end, Southport keeper Charlie Albinson needed to show his agility to foil Gilchrist when the Shields striker was through on goal.

Dean Winnard also produced a goal-line clearance and Dillon Morse sent the rebound over as the visitors finished the first half strongly.

Yet Southport had control of the play and continued to enjoy the lion’s share of the ball after the break.

Correia and Sampson almost combined on the counter-attack and the Port pressure paid off on 73 minutes when a throw-in from Jack Doyle was flicked on by Sampson, allowing Astles to head home at the far post.

And having claimed two assists, Sampson got himself onto the scorsheet with a late strike from a Bauress corner.

Southport: Albinson, Oliver, Doyle, Winnard, Astles, Morgan, Benjamin, Wood, Correia, Sampson, Bauress (Woods 90).

Subs not used: Hanford, Glynn, Green, Mohammed.

South Shields: Boney, Hunter, Charlton (Jenkins 72), Shaw, Morse, Turnbull, Thompson, Baxter, Gilchrist, Briggs, Mason.

Subs not used: Wokoma, Coombe, Hodgson, Ali.

Referee: Tom Kirk

Attendance: 372