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Southport 0, Gateshead 1
Liam Watson's men need to score at least twice in the second leg of the Conference North play-off semi-final after a gifted Graeme Armstrong goal on the quarter-hour proved the difference at Haig Avenue.
Southport started well, with Shaun Gray's free-kick into Chris Lever headed down to Ashley Winn, whose scissor-kick fell just wide.
But a good start was undone by a lack of communication between Tony McMillan and his defence, a long ball into the box not dealt with, Armstrong pouncing, slotting the ball home from close range.
Another lapse between the Port keeper and Gray let Jamie Harwood in, but realising the danger late, Gray cleared.
Winn continued to surge forward regularly, but hard work was undone by solid defending, Gateshead very well organised.
The best attacking spell for Port came after the break, Steve Daly with a glorious chance.
Shaun Whalley played the ball from deep on the right,the ball hitting Daly's shin in front of goal, but he reacted too late.
Alan Moogan tried his luck from distance, but his effort went narrowly over, while Matty McGinn's long throws caused panic.
Yet the visitors should have gone two up on a counter-attack as Armstrong twice beat the offside trap but shot wide with only McMillan to beat but saw the ball run away and Gray cleared.
Chances still came, and Port will rue their missed chances, the best coming from the hard work of Robbie Booth, who played across to the advancing McGinn, but another lack of communication saw Winn nip in to steal the ball then scuffed his shot wide.
Meanwhile, AFC Fylde were at their best at Wincham Park in a 6-0 defeat of Runcorn Linnets last night to regain the lead in the Vodkat League Premier Division.
Mick Horsfall, Chris Downey, Mark Wane and Phil Thompson scored before the break, then Downey and Joe Booth struck.
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Weather for Preston
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light sleet
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light sleet
Temperature: -3 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South east
