SOUTHPORT 1, ALDERSHOT TN 1

IN a town built on its fishing industry, this was the one that got away.

Aldershot Town created enough chances to win two games, and more, at Haig Avenue, but were left to curse a raft of spurned opportunities which left them feeling rather bloodless on Halloween night.

This was a Southport side ripe for the taking – initially, at least, bereft of confidence and cohesion – but after Jim Stevenson’s early strike gave the visitors a deserved lead, they failed to capitalise on their obvious superiority and were hit by a sucker-punch in the second half.

“We should have won, without a doubt,” admitted Barry Smith. “We were dominant, and we’ve created a lot of chances, and on another day one goes in. The disappointing fact is that we never kept a clean sheet, because we spoke about their set-pieces and we got caught out.

“In the game, we played very well, but you’ve got to take those chances – we had the chance to finish them off in the first half and never did so.”

Stevenson’s 20-yard drive through a crowded penalty area after Max Crocombe flapped at Cheye Alexander’s cross, confirmed an excellent start for the Shots in just the 11th minute. But it was a platform on which they failed to build. They could have scored another two or three by half-time.

Although their back four had barely been under any pressure, the wrist ligament injury suffered by centre-half Jack Saville appeared to destabilise Aldershot and Southport eventually got a foothold in the game.

Liam Blakeman and Louis Almond both shot wide of the far post, but still the visitors should have sealed victory before the break. Richard Brodie, enduring a frustrating return to the club where he began the season, directed a free header wide of goal from six yards, while Crocombe produced a superb save to tip Alexander’s curling shot over the bar.

The game perhaps hinged on two chances within seconds of each other, eight minutes into the second half. Damon Lathrope’s 25-yard shot hit the base of one post and spun along the line before curling behind.

And suddenly, at the other end, Southport were level. Luke Foster met a deep corner with a downward header past Phil Smith and it was one apiece in the 54th minute.

The game opened up, although the Shots remained in the ascendancy. Rhys Browne lashed a shot inches over and Crocombe denied Charlie Walker.

Southport hit back. Alexander cleared Charlie Joyce’s shot off the line and the home side were galvanised by substitute Jack Ryan.

The final ten minutes, though, belonged to Aldershot as another replacement, Tom Richards, threatened to run riot. His cross allowed Dan Walker to smash a shot against the crossbar and twice Richards tormented right-back Andy Wright, only to see his final ball blocked.

A winner continued to evade Aldershot and in the end they were somewhat relieved to escape with a point as Ryan’s header grazed the bar in the second minute of injury time.

On the run of play, two points had been dropped, but a fifth game unbeaten nonetheless represented the more positive statistic for Aldershot.

Southport: Crocombe, Nolan, Thompson, Wright, Foster, Stockton, Bishop (Ryan 69), Jones (Joyce 62), Blakeman, Rutherford, Almond. Subs (not used): Viscosi, Phenix, Cameron. Booked: Blakeman, Bishop, Jones.

Aldershot: Smith; Alexander, Beckles, Saville (Oliver 25), McGinty; Browne (Richards 78), Stevenson, Lathrope, D Walker; C Walker, Brodie. Subs (not used): Hatton, Thomas, Mavila.

Referee: Ryan Johnson.

Attendance: 845.