Harrogate 'Best Yet' Suggests Southport Manager Lewer

His words will no doubt make for interesting reading elsewhere with the Sandgrounders facing many of the top clubs already.

Lewer was speaking following Harrogate’s 4-1 win on Merseyside on Tuesday night.

It was Southport’s third straight defeat - and after letting in 13 goals in that period, he is determined to make sure the wheels are not about to come off.

“On Tuesday night we played the best side in the league we’ve played so far - Harrogate are very, very workmanlike, they’re excellent,” the manager said.

“We knew if we didn’t match that we would be in trouble. I think they’re the best side we’ve played and that we’ve seen in this league, so let’s give them credit. They’re a very, very good side, make no mistake about that.

“We keep giving goals away cheaply. Harrogate scored after 28 seconds and the three goals could have been avoided. We were on the backfoot early on.”

Now it’s about sorting out their issues. Southport face Bradford PA in the FA Cup this weekend and they need to get back on track.

“How do you turn it around? By sticking together,” added Lewer. “We have had a good meeting and we’re all looking to put things right as quickly as possible.

“Bradford are a very decent side but the FA Cup is really important to the club because of the money than can be generated and the profile that comes with it.”