Super Southport sink lacklustre Luton

Southport 2 (0) Luton Town 1 (0)

RELEGATION-THREATENED Southport put in a stirring performance to come back from a goal down to beat Luton 2-1 with a late blitz at Haig Avenue this afternoon, writes Mark Wood.

Toothless Town were second best throughout much of this encounter and the Sandgrounders richly deserved the three points on a frustrating afternoon for the Hatters.

It was against the run of play that Luton snatched the lead with the best move of the match on 75 minutes, but Matthew Barnes-Homer’s strike ultimately counted for nothing as Southport skipper Alan Moogan levelled seven minutes later with a good header from close range before Kevin Lee was allowed a free header to snatch victory for the home side with just two minutes to go.

The Hatters made two changes from the side that edged to a 1-0 win at Rushden & Diamonds on Tuesday night. Robbie Willmott missed out with a groin problem and Amari Morgan-Smith dropped to the bench, with Luke Graham coming at right-back and Cluade Gnakpa resuming his role on the right wing after a one match suspension.

Southport started brightly, dominating the aerial battle and with John-Paul Kissock looking particularly lively. And it was his magical through ball that found Karl Ledsham unmarked in the box on six minutes but he slid his effort across the face of goal and against the far post as Luton got a fortunate let off.

The Sandgrounders were by far the more lively side in the opening stages with Ledsham driving in several testing cross.

Town were struggling to adapt to the swirling wind and were being given little by referee Richard Clark.

Uninspiring Luton were second best for the whole first half an hour and when Gnakpa did show some skills Lloyd Owusu failed to get his shot away.

Town were forced into a change on 33 minutes when Danny Crow was introduced for Luke Graham, whose nose hadn’t stopped bleeding since taking a bang in the opening moments.

Shaun Whalley’s turn and shot from the edge of the box went harmlessly wide on 37 minutes, but the Sandgrounders continued to come.

An underperforming Gnakpa was withdrawn in place of Amari Morgan-Smith four minutes before the break and while things kicked off in the away end there was little to note on the pitch as Town went into the break goalless despite putting in one of their worst halves of the season.

The Sandgrounders started the second half as they finished the first with Kissock releasing Whalley in two minutes in and the striker’s shot flew wide.

Kissock then skipped through Town’s defence on 49 minute but could only thunder into the side netting from an acute angle as Luton struggled to even get their foot on the ball.

Southport were hungrier, harder working and more creative against a Luton side that seemed to lack cohesion and desire.

George Pilkington made a great block to shut out Moogan on the hour and Lesham then tamely headed over as woeful Town continued to frustrate.

Whalley flashed wide before manager Richard Money made his last throw of the dice with the introduction of Dan Walker for the ineffective Owusu.

A mistake from a corner by Zdenek Kroca almost let the Sandgrounders in while centre-back Earl Davis blazed a good chance wildly over as Southport continued to be the only side to make any chances.

But just like Luton have had done so often to them this season Town caught the Soundgrounders with a sucker punch with 15 minutes to go as they scored with their first shot of the afternoon.

The first bit of quality from Town saw Walker released on the right and his low cross was teed up by Morgan-Smith for Barnes-Homer to drive home first time past the despairing dive of Tony McMillan.

More magic from Kissock presented Aaron Turner with a sight of goal but he could only curl straight at Mark Tyler, while at the other end Morgan-Smith was floored by a clumsy Davis challenge but nothing was given.

However, Town’s smash and grab job was ruined by a Sandgrounders equaliser with eight minutes to go. Whalley did well on the right and his centre was perfect for Moogan to plant his header past the powerless Tyler.

The Hatters though, should have retaken the lead just two minutes later. Barnes-Homer released Morgan-Smith in the box and his blast could only be parried into the path of Crow by McMillan but he failed to connect properly and could only jab the rebound tamely at McMillan.

And Luton were mugged with just two minutes to go after Walker was penalised for the tamest of free-kicks on the right. Paul Barratt whipped in a great delivery and Lee was left unmarked at the far post to nod home.

Town finally mustered their first corner of the game in stoppage time but Southport easily saw out the three added minutes to claim a much-needed victory.

Sandgrounders (4-3-3): Tony McMillan, Kevin Lee, Matty McGinn, Earl Davis, Rob Marsh-Evans, Alan Moogan (C), Aaron Turner, Karl Ledhsam (Tony Gray 80), Matty McNeil, ShaunWhalley, John-Paul Kissock (Paul Barratt 80). Substitutes not used: Robbie Williams, Liam Blakeman, Steve Dickinson.

Hatters (4-4-2): Mark Tyler, Keith Keane, Luke Graham (Danny Crow 33), George Pilkington (C), Adam Newton, Matthew Barnes-Homer, Zdenek Kroca, Jake Howells, Paul Carden, Claude Gnakpa (Amari Morgan-Smith 41), Lloyd Owusu (Dan Walker 66). Substitutes not used: Kevin Pilkington, Godfrey Poku.

Referee: R Clark.

Assistant referees: A Moore and J Hermuzi.

Fourth official: N S Davies

Bookings: Crow 85.

Attendance: 1,659.

Star Hatter: Danny Crow. Played with some real effort when he came on.