Details from Haig Avenue

Report and updates from Colin Hill at Haig Avenue

 A double from Chris Simm helped Southport maintain the pressure at the top of the Blue Square North with this hard-fought win.

Simm gave the Sandgrounders a half-time lead before he grabbed the winner nine minutes from time as Liam Watson's side again left it late to secure the points.

Southport had a good chance in the opening stages as Simm headed straight at goalkeeper Mark Bell after Rob Marsh-Evans had picked out Matty McGinn.

Blyth opened the scoring with a quick counter-attack. A Southport corner was cleared to Paul Brayson and he released Ian Graham, who slid the ball past keeper Tony McMillan.

The Sandgrounders responded quickly and levelled through Earl Davis, who headed in from a McGinn corner.

Watson’s side went into the break with a lead as Robbie Booth combined well with Ashley Winn, allowing Simm to blast a low shot into the goal. However, Blyth equalised shortly after the re-start, with Brayson capitalising on Southport’s poor defending.

Southport looked like they would have to settle for a point until Simm grabbed a dramatic winner in the latter stages, latching onto the loose ball after Michael Powell’s challenge with Richard Pell.

The Sandgrounders had Davis to thank for making sure of the win, as he cleared off the line from Mark Doninger in the closing moments.

Photos by Julia Urwin