Match Report: Southport 0-1 Chester

A late Connor Woods header secured all three points for the Blues on the road at Southport.

The success at Haig Avenue guaranteed Calum McIntyre’s men a play-off spot with two fixtures still to play, a home clash with Marine on Monday before a trip to King’s Lynn Town on the final day.

Fantastic play from Jack Lambert and Declan Weeks in midfield led to a first sight of goal as Kurt Willoughby found space in the home box but his powerful strike flew just over the bar.

Willoughby was involved again for the next opportunity, as a flick from our number nine found Lambert but his drilled effort was deflected to safety by Jai Curran-Nicholls.

It was a contest that contained a lack of goal-mouth action in the first period, with the first shot on target coming through Willoughby after the half-hour mark, but Renshaw got down well and gathered the ball in comfortable fashion.

Keenan Quansah blazed over the bar with the hosts’ first sight of goal after he latched on to a bouncing ball in the Blues’ box.

The best chance of the half came as the clock ticked into the 45th minute when Kevin Roberts’ low cross found Willoughby but he miscued from close-range and the ball was comfortably cleared.

Connor Woods looked dangerous at the start of the second period with a mazy run that culminated in a powerful strike that forced Renshaw to tip over the bar.

Dior Angus was introduced by the Port as a second-half substitute and he was the first player to test Jimmy Storer but his looped header was comfortable for the Wolves loanee.

The Blues built pressure in the second half and the all-important opener arrived with just 17 minutes left on the clock, as Woods grabbed his third goal in three outings.

The 27-year-old dived to connect with a low cross with his head, before the ball bounced past Renshaw and nestled in the bottom corner.

A sublime finish from Woods, who looked a threat throughout the second half.

Mooney almost doubled the Blues’ lead when he unleashed a low strike late on, but Renshaw got down and claimed a comfortable save.

The Sandgrounders failed to threaten in the dying embers of the contest and Calum McIntyre’s men held on for three crucial points.

The victory secures a play-off spot for the Seals, who will be back down CH1 on Monday for the visit of Marine.