Southport completed their second double of the season, following an impressive second half display put away the challenge from Gainsborough Trinity, moving the Port into second place in the Blue Square North.

Gainsborough were no push over, with Ryan Mallon, who was playing his first match from injury, looking dangerous on the break, scuffing his first shot straight to Steve Drench early on. Lewis McMahon had a good chance to score moments later as his 25 yard free kick narrowly sail over the bar. Southport looked dangerous on the break, as McMahon’s corner towards Richard Pell falling to Mark Duffy who surged forward, switching the ball to Liam Blakeman on the right wing who chipped the ball over the advancing keeper, but his chance just went over the target.

Southport continued to prod, with Michael Powell’s shot deflected wide for a corner as Kevin Lee headed down Duffy’s free-kick in the box. Gainsborough continued to threat, with Alex Callery laying the ball off to Ryan Mallon, but his cast his shot just over the bar. When Southport were able to string a couple of passes together they looked ominous, as Mark Duffy spotted Neil Robinson running forward, beating the off-side trap over on the right wing, with the striker doing well getting the ball to Blakeman whose close-range shot was well palmed away by Sollitt, with no Southport player following in for the loose ball.

Southport did well to contain their hosts, killing the game off effectively within a couple of minutes as two quick successive goals stunned Gainsborough. Just after the hour mark Neil Robinson got the ball through to Blakeman who slotted the ball well to Neil Prince down the left channel who did well to bury the ball home. Within minutes Southport were two goals to the good as Duffy’s corner fell to Michael Powell, whose free-header landed in the back of the net.

Southport dominated, with Blakeman seeing a shot pushed away for a corner, and minutes later Tony Gray seeing his snap shot also being pushed away by Adam Sollitt. Gray caused problems to the Trinity defence, forcing a foul in the box as Adam Burley hacked down the advancing striker, with referee Ledger having no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. Mark Duffy stepped forward, confidently striking the ball into the middle of the net, with Sollitt diving to his right.

Gainsborough created a few chances to get a consolation, with the most notable falling to Nathan Forbes-Swindles, but he sliced his shot over in front of goal, and Alex Callery forcing the mainly redunant Steve Drench into action as the low shot was well gathered.