Southport's players were given a standing ovation by their supporters at the end of their match with Barnet, but there must have been more than a touch of relief in the applause that they received.
It was in fact their first home victory in the Conference since back on November 2nd when they won 3-2 against Stevenage. In between they had a run of nine matches on their own ground which had yielded four draws and five defeats.
Mike Walsh introduced teenager Gary Hornby, signed from Liverpool College on Thursday, into the Southport side and he did well in midfield until tiring and being replaced for the second half by Karl O'Donnell another signing from the same club.
But it was an experienced player Lee Ashcroft who gave Southport the lead after 36 minutes. Craig Pope fouled Hornby 35 yards from goal and Ashcroft's powerfully struck free-kick took a deflection off the defensive wall leaving goalkeeper Danny Naisbitt wrong-footed.
However Barnet could count themselves unfortunate to be behind at the interval as before Ashcroft's goal, Earl Davis had saved Southport with a clearance off the line from a Guy Butters header.
Both sides went close to scoring in an exciting second half before Southport increased their lead after 65 minutes.
Steve Jones and Ashcroft were both involved and from Ashcroft's pass Lee Mulvaney beat Naisbitt with a fierce angled shot.
Barnet's best player Junior Agogo caused numerous problems for the home defence with his pace and control but Southport held on to their two goals lead until the final few seconds when Mark Gower reduced the deficit with a powerful 25-yard shot which gave Steve Dickinson no chance.