DANNS LEADS A PORT RUSH

NEIL DANNS says Southport's south-coast slog highlighted their true character - and that of their loyal supporters.

- By Matt Badcock

Danns National League North Sandgrounders had not one but two treks to Eastleigh for the Isuzu FA Trophy fourth round clash after Saturday's original tie was postponed because of a frozen pitch a little over an hour before kick-off.

It meant making the 243mile return on Tuesday where it was a happier outcome as the Step 2 outfit upset their National League opponents 2-0.

And boss Danns was a proud man for how they overcame the adversity.

"We were at the ground and on our way home in 20 minutes on Saturday," Danns, whose side face a slightly shorter trip to AFC Fylde in the next round, told The NLP.

"It was just trying to keep everything organised and the lads mentally prepared for what we were going to have to do.

"Obviously once the rearranged game was confirmed and we got there it was, 'Look, we are under tough circumstances but these are the games you really show character and that team spirit'.