Southport fall to first home defeat of the season after a second half deflected goal sees Macclesfield take all three points.

The Sandgrounders started the game on top dominating possession and in the 8th minute after a Teddy Lavelle shot from range, the keeper parried it out to Sonny Hilton who slotted the ball into the back of the net but the goal was ultimately ruled out for offside.

Despite Southport having all the momentum Macclesfield took the lead in the 21st minute thanks to a low cross driven across the box which was tapped in by former Southport man Issac Buckley-Ricketts.

Southport continued to apply pressure after the goal in the first half with most notable chances coming from shots outside the area from Danny Lloyd and Teddy Lavelle but Macclesfield goalkeeper Max Dearnley made strong saves to keep them out.

Just three minutes into the 2nd half, Southport finally got their equaliser coming from a poor clearance from goalkeeper Max Dearnley which Mo Touray took full advantage of with a chip from range.

The Silkmen grew into the game second half and in the 56th minute D’Mani Mellor hit a rocket of a free kick which cannoned off the crossbar.

In the 73th minute Macclesfield took the lead from a shot left side on the edge of the penalty area from Luis Lacey which took a deflection into the bottom left corner.

Plenty of positives to take into our next couple of fixtures, as we are away to newly promoted side Worksop on Saturday and host AFC Fylde on bank holiday Monday.

Line up: Renshaw, Murphy-Worrell, Moore, Tabone, Collins, Lavelle, Hilton, Burgess, Lloyd, Touray, Gnahoua.

Substitutes: Tucker, Slew, Pickles, Alston, Sandison, Minihan, Edwards.

Attendance: 1609 (447 away)

Report By Olly Barton

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