Another important goal from Tony Gray was enough to secure all three points for Southport, but it was sterling work from the defence that earned the three points, thwarting the hosts on many attempts.

Stalybridge caused a real threat to Southport early on, demanding full concentration from the Southport defence. Chris Williams stabbed a dangerous ball into Lee Ellington, but the ball was guided through by Earl Davis for Tony McMillan to pounce on. Minutes later Steve Torpey’s free-kick was hiked into the air by Kevin Lee, with McMillan scrambling back to punch the ball over for a corner. Chris Williams created space for himself on ten minutes, but his shot from 20 yards sailed just over the bar.
With the early pressure absorbed, Southport took the lead thanks to a lack of concentration in the Celtic defence, as Kevin Lee popped the ball from the right wing into the box, where Tony Gray had all the time in the world to strike the ball into the bottom left corner of the goal, with Phillips a mere observer.
Southport’s only chance towards the end of the first half was a Matty McGinn corner which went through to James Connolly, but his header went over the bar.
Paul Sykes nearly gifted Southport a second goal early in the second half, as his horrendous back pass was guided to Tony Gray, who took the ball around Paul Phillips, but shot his chance at the two covering defenders who had scrambled back onto their line, with the rebound coming back to Ciaran Kilheeney whose shot was returned to Michael Powell, who was just unable to guide his shot from the edge of the box under the bar.
The only effort of note by the home team was a speculative shot by Keith Briggs, as Southport looked to pounce upon the shaky home defence. Mark Duffy took on two defenders taking the ball in from the left wing, but his shot went narrowly wide, whilst minutes later, Mark Duffy counter attacked, getting the ball out to Kilheeney on the right, who put the ball across goal to the advancing Tony Gray, with the ball landing in the side netting.
Matty Barlow had a glorious chance as stoppage time commenced, but Tony McMillan had his shot covered as the ball went wide, as Southport held on two their valuable lead, claiming all three points.