Report by Olly Barton

Southport fell to defeat against Darlington after two early goals sunk the Sandgrounders.

Darlington started off the brighter side and got their reward in the ninth minute when Jack Maskell brought the ball down on his chest and volleyed it into the left corner of the net.

The hosts doubled their lead just three minutes later after Darlington’s relentless press earned Max Howells the chance to slot the ball into an empty net.

The Sandgrounders did manage to test keeper Darryl Ombang, who had signed on a month’s loan from Leeds earlier today. Most notably from a shot from the outside of the right boot of Jordan Slew and also a left footed strike from Arthur Gnahoua which he clawed out of the top left corner.

Southport did make changes at half time with new signing Luke Griffiths making his debut and he looked sharp throughout the second half.

Darlington did go down to ten men in the 66th minute after Elliot Forbes received a second yellow for pulling down Adrien Thibaut on the edge of the area.

The Port came close again late on through another pure strike from Gnahoua but it seemed nothing was going to beat goalkeeper Darryl Ombang.

We return to action at home on Tuesday night  against Peterborough Sports as we play our rearranged fixture that was postponed earlier last month.

Line up: Renshaw, Edwards, Moore, Pickles, Minihan, Lavelle, Keane, Hilton, Slew, Gnahoua, Thibaut.

Substitutes: McKenzie, Lloyd, Touray, Simms, Griffiths, Pike, Tabone.

Attendance 1199