FA Trophy first round: Farsley Celtic 0 Southport 4

VIRTUALLY any hopes of a giant killing at Throstle Nest were effectively snuffed out in the fourth minute as Farsley Celtic conceded an early goal against their higher-ranking visitors.

Southport may be struggling in the Vanarama National League but they snatched an early lead through Jack Higgins, the centre back, who was up for a setpiece, being left unmarked to nod in from four yards.

Farsley play their football in Division One North of the Evo-Stik League, and what was always going to be an uphill task suddenly became a mountain to climb.

Joint manager Neil Parsley was philosophical in his summing up, saying: “It was a very difficult afternoon and I think we made it even harder for ourselves with individual errors.

“The early goal was a setback but I thought we reacted really well to it, and for the next 20 to 25 minutes it was an even game.

"Then Azzer (Aaron Hardy) makes a mistake in the 33rd minute and Paddy (skipper Paddy Miller) makes a mistake in the 36th minute and we’re 3-0 down.

“When you make mistakes like that against a side from three divisions higher, you are going to get punished. I’ve no problem with that and I think our players did well to reach the first round.

“I felt their last goal, from another individual error, in stoppage time was a bit unfair on the scoreline.

"They will say the tie was over after the first half but I thought that we matched them in the second half, and to concede that fourth makes it look like a hammering.”

Hardy’s mistake was allow Jordan Lussey to seize possession deep in the Celts’ area and he then lashed a shot past home keeper Graeme McKibbon, who vented his anger at his defenders after being left exposed.

Miller lent on the Sandgrounder’s livewire forward Jamie Allen as he raced into the area, and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Allen took the penalty and sent it down the middle as McKibbon dived to his right.

Miller had taken a blow to the head in the first half didn’t reappear after the break, being replaced by Adam Clayton, who is on the comeback trail following injury.

Farsley were much better but Southport hit the bar and later added to their tally in stoppage time as James Caton slotted in from an angle.