Town then went close again moments later, as a great ball in from McLean found Atkinson, who got the slightest headed touch on it to glance it wide of the far post.

The game then turned on it's head around the 15 minute.

It was given away cheaply around 25 yards from goal.

This allowed Luke Burgess to surge forward and curl one past Kier Barry in the Longridge goal.

To the Town relief, it would come back off the inside of the post.

Southport were then monumentally close again just a minute later.

A pinpoint Lloyd cross was headed onto the crossbar by Dior Angus.

Fin Heath then fired the rebound at goal, only for it to be beaten away by Barry.

Lloyd himself then came close for the first time, as a Matt Thomson cross was rolled wide by the attacker.

Heath then took aim again, this time from 25 yards as the visitors really began to take control of the first half.

His effort flew over the bar though.

Angus then found himself practically in on goal following a lovely slipped pass from a teammate, but his close range effort could only find the arms of Barry.

Town then managed to great back in the game a bit around the half hour mark, seeing some of the ball.

However the only real moment of note was a cracking ball from Ben Fletcher, picking out McLean who skipped past Sam Minihan, only to see his square ball cleared away from goal by Keenan Quansah.

Ethan Edmundson then made what could be the tackle of the season, as Angus looked absolutely certain to score from close range with no Town defenders behind him.

However 'Edo' had other ideas, racing back to throw himself between the attacker and the gaping goal to concede a corner, hurting himself in the process, however fine to continue.

Unfortunately, this incredible effort would be in vain.

The resulting Lloyd corner, went through the crowd of bodies and into the far corner of the goal, breaking the deadlock.

Town managed to get to half time further unscathed.

At the break, defender Tom McCann drew out ticket number 8776 for the half time pound for the ground raffle of £90.

A massive thank you to those who entered, it was greatly appreciated as always.

Town made no change at the break, but would switch things up just 8 minutes into the second half.

Luke Smith and Jordan Dainty were replaced by Sheikh Sohna and Rio Alston.

Moments later, the ground was almost on it's feet.

Alston picked out Atkinson with a pin-point cross into the edge of the six yard box.

The striker met it and nodded down towards the bottom right corner of the goal.

Renshaw flew over and scrambled to keep it over, almost dropping it in the process.

With just over twenty minutes left, Town took charge of the game.

Sohna swiveled in midfield before finding Alston on the left.

The winger laid off McLean who fired at goal from the tight angle, only to see it tipped wide at the near post by Renshaw.

Ashcroft then went to his bench for a second time.

Edmundson made way for Jacob Bridges.

However, the game then took a nasty turn.

Angus looked sure to latch onto a ball from the back and race one-on-one with Barry.

Mitch Marshall threw himself in the way, winning the ball but landing awkwardly.

After some delay, he had to depart, looking in a very bad way.

We're all with you Mitch.

He was replaced by Matt Van Wyk, who had coincidentally just returned from injury.

As Ben Trafford pumped it long, Atkinson battled Quansah for possession.

The forward came out on top, forcing the defender to foul him.

Alston's resulting free kick was struck well, but beaten away by the 'keeper as it headed for the top right corner.

The game then took a wild turn.

In the midst of the chaos in the box following the free kick, the linesman began flagging furiously.

The referee entertained him and after much delay and deliberation, a penalty was given to Longridge Town.

Anderton stepped up, looking to continue his fantastic penalty record.

However Renshaw continued his incredible saving streak, diving to his right to pounce on the spot kick effort.

Soon after, Anderton made way for Jenson Carter.

Despite this, and the heartbreak that followed, Town continued to be the better side.

Van Wyk saw two close range effort deflect over the bar, the resulting corners were cleared by the visitors.

The first effort was monumentally close.

As we reached the dying stages of the added time, Southport managed to win possession of the ball and take it to the corner flag, where they would hold it hostage for the next couple of minutes.

Town managed to win it back and send it upfield but to no avail.

The whistle would soon go, confirming Town's departure from the competition.

A tough ending to an incredible game of football.

Every credit to Southport, who were great visitors and we wish them all the very best in the final and for the rest of the season.

For Ashey's young reds, they now return home on Saturday as we enter the final five fixtures.

We host FC St Helens this Saturday, before waiting a week but staying at home, to host Pilkington.

A massive thank you for the magnificent support this evening.

All we can ever ask for is 100%.

Tonight they gave more.

A performance to be very, very proud of against very strong National League North opposition.

What a group. Keep the faith.

The Goals

Longridge: N/A

Southport: Lloyd (35')

The Teams

Longridge: Barry, Hewitt, Trafford, Marshall (Van Wyk 73'), McLean, Fletcher, Edmundson (Bridges 68') Smith (Sohna 53'), Dainty (Alston 53'), Anderton (Carter 85'), Atkinson

Southport: Renshaw, Minihan, Quansah, Evans, Thomson (Doyle 70'), Philliskirk (Hilton 46'), Evans, Burgess, Heath, Lloyd, Angus (Renato 84')