It was honours even at Victoria Park, as the two teams shared the points, with both teams having chances to steal the lead, as Southport came back from an early set-back through Neil Robinson who continued his good form of run with another scintillating workmanship display.

In an entertaining start, Southport created a couple of chances to take the lead as Liam Blakeman hoisted the ball from the left wing in towards Michael Powell whose header down bounced comfortably for Tony McMillan. However, the home team seized control as Adam Flynn’s shot was palmed away to Alan Moogan who shot was cleared off the line by Powell. The danger persisted for Southport, who suddenly found themselves a goal down as a long ball from Allan Smart to Ciaran Kilheeney who did well to twist the ball around two defenders, firing to his right, with Steve Drench a mere spectator.

The game went quiet for a short period, until Southport pulled level on 24 minutes as Mark Duffy’s free-kick came back off the cross bar to Neil Robinson who was free to head the ball down into the empty net as Tony McMillan came scrambling back from the initial shot.

Burscough thought they re-took the lead a couple of minutes later as Michael Powell came through and slid the ball back towards Allan Smart who put the ball into the net, however the referee had pulled play back for the free-kick.

The chances continued into the second half, with Neil Robinson’s close range chance was cleared off the line, with the referee deeming that the ball had come off the post, and awarded a goal-kick. Down at the other end, Burscough’s best chance fell to Chris Price who slammed his chance into the side netting. Towards the end, Kevin Lee thought he’d got the winner has his header from Neil Prince was delivered to the defender at the back post, only for the ball to skim over the bar. The rallying call of the announcement of stoppage time failed to ignite either side, with both teams settling for a share of the points.