Forest Green Rovers 1 Southport 2

Last updated : 11 March 2006 By Footymad Previewer
Forest Green slipped further into relegation trouble after a disappointing defeat at the hands of rock-bottom Southport.

The home side squandered the chance to take three points after taking an early lead as they missed the opportunity to pull themselves away from the wrong end of the table.

It started so well for Rovers. Damon Searle produced a pinpoint free-kick which was headed home by Abdou Sall in the third minute.

But a goal from Steve Daly and a winner by substitute Liam Blakeman made sure Southport snatched the points.

Earlier Gary Brabin fired wide as Southport looked to draw level and ten minutes later Steve Pickford went close from 20 yards.

The pressure eventually told when Daly produced a shot which was too good for Rovers keeper Ryan Clarke.

At the other end substitute Julian Alsop's 30th minute header flew wide, before Southport's Blakeman went close with an effort from the edge of the penalty area.

Rovers battled on and Alex Meechan had a shot blocked, before Searle fired wide as Green enjoyed the best of the play. Guy Madjo shot wide in the 38th minute, Meechan fired wide a minute later, and then Madjo again fired over in the 41st minute.

But no matter how hard Rovers tried they just couldn't find the back of the net.

Searle had a header blocked soon after the restart and both Madjo and Sall had good opportunities, but failed to hit the target with a shot and header respectively.

Southport were reduced to ten men when Mark Roberts was sent off for his second bookable offence, but the visitors had the better of the chances in the second half.

Pickford forced Clarke to make a smart stop in the 62nd minute as Rovers kept squandering chances.

Daly fired over, Scott Rogers had a header saved by Steve Dickinson and substitute Mark Beesley also had a shot saved, but it was Blakeman's clinical finish in the 73rd minute which gave Southport the points.