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Watson's not given up on promotion dream
Defiant Southport boss Liam Watson has warned Gateshead: "Write us off at your peril."
Graeme Armstrong's first-half strike was enough to earn Gateshead the advantage in the Conference North semi-final first leg at Haig Avenue.
It means Port have it all to do in Sunday's second leg at Gateshead's International Stadium as they bid to keep their promotion hopes alive.
Watson said: "We've nothing to fear going up there.
"I'm extremely confident we'll be in the final, against Telford United or Alfreton Town.
"All the pressure is on Gateshead, and I'm very bullish about our chances.
"The question is, what do Gateshead do now?
"Do they shut up shop or go for broke?
"If they come at us, then that will suit our style because we are very effective on the counter-attack away from home.
"But there is no way this tie is dead, we still have a great chance."
Leading scorer Ciaran Kilheeney missed the first leg through injury, but the Sandgrounders boss says the striker will definitely start, as will Michael Powell.
Watson can certainly take great encouragement from Southport's excellent away record this term.
They have lost just four times in 21 league games in the regular season, and leaked just 16 goals.
"We had a shedful of chances in the first leg, and sadly some of our misses were comical," he said.
"The goal we gave away was a joke, and that was probably the most disappointing thing.
"But if we play like we did in the second half against Gateshead then we'll score goals on Sunday.
"Having Ciaran back is a big boost – Gateshead will be very wary of his threat."
Sunday's second leg now has a 5pm kick-off, because the stadium had a prior agreement to stage the European Disabled Wheelchair Championships.
Watson added: "The original plan was to travel overnight, but with the later kick-off it probably fits in a bit better now.
"Make no mistake, we'll be ready for them.
"If Gateshead have written us off then they could be in for a big surprise."
In the other semi, Telford defeated Alfreton 2-0 in the first leg at Bucks Head – their second leg also takes place on Sunday.
If Southport make it, the final will be staged at the winners of Telford or Alfreton a week tonight.
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Weather for Preston
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light sleet
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
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