Southport bowed out of the FA Cup after a 3-2 home defeat to Vanarams National League side Altrincham but they could hold their heads high after a valiant performance.

As early as the second minute Chris Doyle had a header cleared off the line with the ‘keeper beaten.

It was a fairly quiet start but the game burst in to life on 35 minutes when Marcus Carver scored from close range after excellent interplay between Bainbridge, Watson and Vassallo.

Five minutes later Southport had the ball in the net once again but it was disallowed after a foul on the ‘keeper. At first it looked like the referee had awarded the goal but he was signalling for a free kick.

The game turned in the final 5 minutes of the first half when Tom Peers equalised and deep into stoppage time Hancock scored from a corner that the home defence could not clear. It was a poor goal for Southport to concede and at a bad time.

Altrincham came out much more lively in the second period but it took until the 67th minute to increase their lead through Kosylo with a close range finish that was a result of some sloppy defending.

The Southport heads could have dropped but they didn’t and the home side came at the visitors again without posing too much of a threat but in the 75th minute after great work by Niall Watson he crossed for that man Carver to once again get on the end of it and make the score 2-3.

An aerial bombardment with a succession of long throws came to nothing and Altrincham saw the game out to progress into Round 1 Proper.

it was not to be for Southport but it was another good display from the lads who now know they have to start turning the good performances into league wins.

Line Up : Mason, Oliver, J Doyle (Munro 62) Anson, Tharme, Carver (Archer 85) C Doyle, Hmami, Vassallo (Buckley-Ricketts 62), Watson, Bainbridge.

Att 1386

Southport Brewery Man Of The Match chosen by Keith Mitchell: Marcus Carver

Source: southportfc.net