Report By Olly Barton
Despite a dominant display the Sandgrounders came out with a 1-1 draw against FC United of Manchester to end pre-season unbeaten.
Southport hit the crossbar twice in the first half, with Danny Lloyd smashing a rocket of a free kick in the 11th minute and then Luke Burgess with a strike from Twenty five yards out just five minutes later.
Just before half time, FC United won a penalty through a hand ball. Captain Charlie Ennis stepped up to take it but it was saved by the feet of Southport goalkeeper Chris Renshaw, Ennis followed up the rebound with a header into the bottom left corner.
Southport continued to probe in the second half, with the most dangerous chances coming from an Arthur Gnahoua header and a curling effort from the left foot of 2nd half substitute Malakai Mckenzie.
In the 76th minute Southport finally broke the deadlock to equalise through a stunning strike just outside the box from Mo Touray into the top left corner.
After a mazy run beating two players, McKenzie was brought down in the box to win a penalty for Neil Danns’ side in the 82nd minute.
New signing Jordan Slew stepped up to take the penalty but FC United goalkeeper Dan Atherton got a strong left hand to the ball and tipped it round the post.
We return to league action for the first time this season next Saturday as we travel to the south-east of Wales to play newly promoted Merthyr Town as Neil Danns will be looking to collect his first three points as Southport manager.
Line up: Renshaw, Murphy-Worrell, Moore, Tabone, Pike, Lavelle, Hilton, Burgess, Lloyd, Touray, Gnahoua.
Substitutes: Pickles, Amaral, Tucker, Sandison, McKenzie, Alston, Slew.
Attendance: 880
Post Match With Neil
