Lancaster 0 Southport 1

IN THE first of their cup finals on Tuesday, City suffered a cruel stoppage time defeat in the Lancashire Marsden Trophy.

And as if the timing of the winner was not enough, City defender Kenny Mayers scored it.

The Blues proved more than a match for the Conference outfit before the untimely and unfortunate intervention of City's centre-half, who had played superbly.

A fantastic City following saw a poor first half at Chorley's Victory Park but the second was really end to end stuff.

If the trophy had gone to Lancaster rather than to Merseyside it would have been no shock and the Blues can take heart from their performance.

City will be looking to secure a spot alongside Southport next term and, if this form continues, they will definitely be up there.

After Tuesday's display, plus the impressive victory over Leigh earlier in the competition, they certainly look as if they will be at home in such company.

Kenny Mayers will be there after signing a new deal. The City captain warranted recent attention with a solid performance.

He endeavoured to pinpoint the City forwards and was the root of everything the Blues created.

Welch departed after 24 minutes with a pulled hamstring and Brian Butler was superb on the right wing after a City re-shuffle.

Thankfully, Southport's left-back, Lee Furlong, also came off after making a number of promising runs.

Both sides were careless in possession. Stuart Whittaker missed the first half's best chance just before half-time.

Parke burst into the City box but the Southport winger side-footed his pull-back well over.

Earlier a Potts header was cleared off the line after a hopeful cross by Phil Brown.

City then put Potts alongside Love upfront with Butler out wide and he made a number of threatening crosses. City almost snatched the lead on 78 minutes with a move involving nearly all the team.

Haddow spread to Butler and Love's header went agonisingly wide. Haddow then combined with Graham and Browns header was well saved.

Southport reverted to wing-backs with Whittaker on the right and sub, Lee Elam, the left.

The warning signs were there on 90 minutes when Arnold raced clear but was blocked by Thornley.

The winger had the goal at his mercy but could only find the side-netting. Then Arnold released Elam in acres.

Mayers, facing his own goal, tried to help his cross out but could only divert past a helpless Thornley for a cruel finish.

Team: Thornley; Rigby, Sparrow, Mayers (c), Graham; Potts, Martin, Butler,

Haddow; Brown, Welch (Love).

City drew 0-0 at Frickley on Saturday, missing several good chances in a game they should have won against a side close to the foot of the table.