With a marathon season approaching the final straight, there was a youthful look about the Southport side which brought the curtain down on the regular campaign at Throstle Nest. After weeks of wondering about the identity of potential play-off opposition, Gateshead will provide the semi-final test, with the focus already switching to the crucial upcoming encounters.



Having guaranteed a top-five finish, the Southport side consisted predominately of players from the club’s youth set-up, whose performances this season have earned positive reviews. Despite taking an early lead, it was a tough day for the Sandgrounders against Farsley, with an unpredictable bounce on a dry, rutted playing surface.



The Port’s fifth place finish means they host runners-up Gateshead at Haig Avenue on Wednesday night, before making the return journey on Sunday afternoon, with AFC Telford or Alfreton lying in wait a week on Friday if successful.



The afternoon started well for Southport when Zak Aley, one of five league debutants, headed in Neil Prince’s corner with two-and-a-half minutes gone, the youngster bagging his second senior goal of the campaign after scoring at Rossendale. The lead, however, lasted just 90 seconds as the Port defence was caught square, allowing Damien Reeves to race clear and apply an assured finish from inside the area.



From then on, Farsley gained control, with Ross Atkins making a strong save at the feet of Reeves, before the home side took the lead on 25 minutes. Shaun Whalley’s rash challenge on Gareth Grant gave Dominic Krief, the former Port midfielder, the chance to roll home the resulting penalty.



Southport could have equalised when Danny Mitchley played a well-weighted pass into the path of the onrushing Prince, though an unfortunate bobble meant the shot from the stand-in skipper was tame. Krief squandered an even more presentable chance on the stroke of half-time, heading over after rising unchallenged to meet Michael Aspin’s cross in a central position.



Connor Millington’s cross-shot had Celtic keeper Curtis Aspden backpedalling, while Grant, the Farsley striker, fired across the face of goal after wriggling into the area. The home side added further substance to the scoreline in the closing half-hour, Danny Forrest tapping a shot in from Rory Prendergast’s low left-wing centre, before Krief nonchalantly dispatched his second penalty after Chris Price had impeded Prenderegast’s run into the box. Aspden completed the scoring with a firm drive following crisp approach work.