THE MATCH

Chester FC were dumped out of the FA Cup at the fourth qualifying round stage after a 1-0 defeat at National League bottom side Southport.

The dreams of an FA Cup run must be put on hold for another 12 months after Steve Burr got the better of his former number two after Dominic Weeks's first half deflected strike enough to send them into the hat for the first round proper.

The Sandgrounders started by far the brighter of the two sides and looked in the mood to bring some smiles to the Haig Avenue faithful after a season of misery on the field.

Nathan Ferguson and Andrai Jones both went close while Liam Roberts had to do well to save a close range Jamie Allen effort.

But, after 700 minutes of football, Chester's defence was eventually breached on 32 minutes when Weeks fired an effort from 25 yards out after a poor clearance that deflected off Liam Nolan and left Roberts stranded.

Chester didn't respond in the manner that McCarthy would have hoped for and continued to be profligate in possession and rarely made inroads in to the Southport defence. A weak Kane Richards header late in the first half from Ryan Lloyd's cross was as close as they came.

After a slow start to the second half Chester were brighter after the break and poured forward as time ticked on.

Substitute Jordan Chapell went close when his 18 yard drive was tipped just wide by Magnus Norman while fellow substitute Oluwaseun Akintunde saw his first time effort from a James Alabi cut back well saved by Norman.

Jordan Lussey went close for the home side when his low drive was well palmed away by Roberts.

Chester continued to push forward but lacked incision and the game ran away from them.

Southport, on balance, were deserving of their success and Chester will have to wait another year for a crack at the FA Cup.

ANALYSIS

The run had to end at some point but given the form of the two sides heading into this clash then you would be forgiven for backing the Blues to progress.

But they were off the pace from the start and the hosts were full value for the win in the end.

The Blues failed to threaten the side rock-bottom of the National League and never looked like finding a way past Norman in the Southport goal.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for the Blues with former boss Burr getting one over his ex club and the financial spoils for reaching the first round proper denied them.

The real test will be how they bounce back from this setback when they travel to York City on Saturday. They must improve.

STAR MAN

Craig Mahon: Did his best to create chances for his teammates but his efforts went unrewarded. Chester's best attacking outlet.

MATCH FILE

Southport: Norman, Higgins, Howe, Thompson, Ashton, Weeks (G Jones 77), Lussey, Nolan, Ferguson (Caton 73), Allen (Cofie 83), A Jones. Subs: Grimes, Gray, White, G Jones, Crump.

Bookings: Thompson, Jones, Higgins, Howe.

Goals: Weeks 32

Chester: Roberts, Vassell, Astles, Hughes, Hunt (Horwood 81), Lloyd, Mahon, Durrell (Chapell 28), George, Alabi, Richards (Akintunde 60). Subs: Killock, Evans, Waters, Joyce.

Bookings: Alabi

Goals:

Attendance: 1,674 (738 from Chester).

Referee: Wayne Barratt.