Fearns Shown Red Card

Vauxhall came out and played some good football in the opening stages, but it was Southport who had the most shots. The first real chance went Port's way as Motors' defender Carl Macauley's headed back pass fell short of Dittmar. Tony Dittmar did extremely well to save the resulting shot from Kevin Leadbetter as he palmed it up into the air.

Southport continued to create the better chances when Barry Jones header went just over the bar. Vauxhall had their first opportunity of the game as Terry Fearns played in Carl Nesbitt who dragged his shot hust wide.

The referee had started the game badly as five bookings were made within 43 minutes. Manager Owen Brown looked in disbelief in stoppage time of the first half when his top scorer Terry Fearns was shown a red card. A Southport player fell over and Fearns was not even within touching distance from him and somehow the ref saw something that no one else did. Terry Fearns departed the pitch with no argueing, but in the dugout proved a whole lot different. Half Time approched that enabled everyone to cool down.

Half Time: Southport 0-0 Vauxhall Motors

The ten men of Vauxhall battled on only to see themselves 1-0 down in the 66 minute. Substitute Lee Ashcroft was the supplier as he crossed in a free kick that was met by the head of on-loan striker Neil Robinson. The free kick had been intially awarded for a high foot from Vauxhall's Alan Griffiths.

Vauxhall failed to give up and were rewarded when a mix-up between shot stopper Steve Dickenson and full back Danny Stone led to Peter Cumiskey levelling proceedings. Danny Stone collected the ball and hit an easy back pass for his team mate who was to slow to react that led to Peter "Wacker" Cumiskey reaching for the season.

The Motormen held firm and were well worthy of the draw as they defended well with ten men. Owen Brown will be the most pleased manager of the two as they hung on and remained unbeaten against the Sandgrounders all season.

In an interview with the Pioneer Manager Owen Brown said: 'The referee decided to have a game of his own, the lad was nowhere near the incident. The Southport boy told us that nobody had touched him and he'd just fallen over. Our lads did a good job in the circumstances and battled and passed the ball well.'

Full Time: Southport 1-1 Vauxhall Motors

Man of the Match: Peter Cumiskey for a good performance and giving 100% throughout

Motors Dittmar, Macauley, Robertson, Spellman, Roberts, Lynch, Nesbitt (Porter 85), Lawton, Fearns, Griffiths, Cumiskey.

Attendance: 822.