With the form of the two sides dramatically differing prior to the game, it was largely expected that Southport would have too much quality for a Leigh side that has lost their last three games, including two against title pretenders Kettering and Harrogate, but the Sandgrounders might not have expected such a valiant defensive effort from the Railwaymen.

After starting every game since Dan Owen received a fractured cheekbone, Mark Jackson found himself relegated to the bench for the visit of his former club, while Southport fielded ex-Leigh players Liam Blakeman and Neil Prince.

After a previously even game, the chances of an away victory were improved significantly midway through the first half when Rapley was given his marching orders after an off-the-ball confrontation with Southport centre half Kevin Lee.

In front of a Hilton Park crowd that featured ex-manager Steve Bleasdale and former striker Chris Simm, the largest attendance since the emotional final day encounter against Northwich in April 2006, the referee originally failed to notice the incident, but had his attention drawn to it by his assistant on the far touchline after he had spotted Lee writhing on the ground after an apparent clash with Rapley.

While Lee, who’s every touch was predictably booed by the home support thereafter, was to be shown only a yellow card for his part in the piece, the match officials deemed that there was sufficient evidence for Rapley to be sent from the field.

Once again, Leigh goalkeeper John Lamb was in outstanding form as he pulled off a string of magnificent saves to keep Southport at bay, only to finally crumble under the substantial pressure when Michael Powell scrambled the ball in to the net from close range after the Leigh defence failed to effectively deal with the visitors’ umpteenth corner kick.

Powell's goal proved to be the culmination of a barrage of second half attacks on Lamb's goal, with the goalkeeper proving more than equal to the vast majority of his previous tasks, although he was saved by his woodwork on just the one occasion when a sweetly struck free kick from impressive winger Mark Duffy thumped against the crossbar.

The goal was greeted by celebrations from visiting players and fans alike that might not have looked out of place for a last minute winner in the FA Cup Final, but it proved harsh on a Leigh side that had, up until that point, defended as though their lives depended on it.

As the game entered it’s final stages, Leigh manager Stuart Humphreys threw caution to the wind in search of a vital point with the introduction of attackers Mark Jackson and debutant Ian Latham. It seemed as though Humphreys’ ambition was to be rewarded with barely seconds remaining when a corner found it’s way to substitute Jackson, only for his acrobatic overhead attempt to fall agonisingly wide of the target after he had previously flashed a shot inches over the top against his previous employers.

As far as so-called ‘encouraging defeats’ go, this was as near to a moral victory as you’re ever likely to get as the Leigh defence’s admirable rearguard made up for it’s lack of numbers against a side that are expected by many, none the least their boisterous away following, to make an instant return to the Conference National.

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