Southport were unlucky to share the spoils on a cold and windy boxing day. Fans will be wondering how the three points were cruelly snatched from their hands just 60 seconds from time.
Southport started the game brightly with good pressure from the yellows. Connor Woods often found himself a thorn in Curzon Ashton’s side. The Sandgrounders managed to open the scoring 18 minutes in, turning pressure into a goal, when a Mo Ali throw in was cleared to Woods on the edge of the area who had a couple of touches and shot at goal only for his shot to be deflected and landed to Carver just 6 yards out who tapped it past Cameron Mason.
Three minutes later, another Mo Ali throw in found Adam Anson in the box, but his header was not powerful enough as the away side’s keeper collected easily. Southport had the chance to double their lead when Mo Ali put in a low cross but Carver and Newell both failed to get on the end of it.
The first half presented plenty of drama as Flowers was lucky not to be shown a red following a reckless challenge on Challoner, and just before the break Dean Winnard was very lucky not to be shown red as he went in high on Ashton’s number 8, Samuel Walker, on the halfway line.
The second half started slow, with little to no chances until a busy couple of minutes saw Curzon Ashton equalise as a free kick is whizzed into the box and centre half Flowers rose to put the ball past Hanford.
Southport went straight up the other end as Carver stormed into the box from the left and had his shot saved, but the keeper could only parry the ball to Connor Woods who knocked the ball in at the post.
Southport then shut up shop, with little pressure from the away side going into the dying moments of the match. The yellows looked comfortable and confident of winning the three points until the away side won a corner a minute from time. The ball was put into the box and Daniel Cowan rose the tallest and nodded home.
A positive performance and good chances could only muster a point for the yellows. Curzon Ashton will be going home counting their blessings, and Southport wondering what they did wrong.
Line Up: Hanford. Vassallo, Morgan. Ali, Challoner, Winnard, Newell (Archer 76), Benjamin, Anson, Carver, Woods(Bainbridge(90)
Unused Subs: McMillan, Oliver & Watson
Scorers Carver 18 & Woods 74.
Report By Ben Haslam
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