Hayes 1-0 Southport

Hayes improved their hopes of survival with a priceless three points from a win against high-flying Southport.

In a quiet opening period it was Southport who had the better chances and they nearly took the lead when goalkeeper Paul Gothard's clearance cannoned off former Liverpool midfielder Mike Marsh and flew inches wide of the post.

The visitors went close again with half-time approaching when the dangerous Ian Arnold burst into the box before unleashing a powerful shot that Gothard did well to hold.

But a minute before the break Hayes snatched the lead when former Northern Ireland international Jimmy Quinn's right wing cross found Rocky Baptiste unmarked and he volleyed home from six yards out.

Southport threw men forward in search of an equaliser after the break but struggled to break down an organised Hayes defence with an excellent last ditch header from Nathan Bunce denying Dino Maamria when he seemed certain to score.

As Hayes replied on the break, the game could have been put out of Southport's reach with 10 minutes remaining but goalkeeper Steve Dickinson pulled off a fantastic save to deny Jimmy Quinn.

But Dickinson's heroics were to count for little as the home side held on to take one step closer to securing their Conference status.

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Hayes: Gothard, Molesley, Gallen, Coppard, Bunce, Goodliffe, McKimm, Moore, Quinn, Baptiste, Everitt. Subs: Ben Hodson, Watts, Preston, Matt Hodson.

Southport: Dickinson, Clark, Stewart, Linighan, Guyett, Bolland, Marsh, Grayston, Arnold, Maamria, Elam. Subs: Teale, Lane, Parke, Furlong, Whittaker.

Referee: L Probert (Bridgewater)