Chris Coleman, the Fulham manager, last season attempted to remedy his side’s miserable away fortunes by adopting similar preparations to those used at home matches.

Perhaps Paul Cook should consider reversing that strategy, because while Southport’s recent results on the road have given rise to much anticipation, performances in front of their own supporters ensure that hope and momentum feebly recedes.

Gritty at York City and wholehearted against Oxford United, the Sandgrounders in the past few weeks have teased supporters by indicating that they aren’t too far away from being a competent side. The familiarity of afternoons like this, however, serves only to remind their public of how near Southport are to another flirt with the drop.

Unable to acquire purpose or organisation to their play, the Port struggled limply to threaten their visitors’ goal and should have again lost against very modest opposition.

Wasteful in possession, they reverted to a less assertive set-up following the withdrawal of striker Dino Maamria with a hamstring injury and were once more shot of answers when harbouring the onus to attack.

St Albans took the lead on 64 minutes through Damien Batt, who was afforded the time and space to score with a looping 20-yard shot that was fumbled into the net by goalkeeper Ryan Robinson.

The visitors should have doubled their advantage from the penalty spot soon after, but Lee Clarke could only crash his kick against the crossbar once James Olsen was judged to have handled Batt’s cross.

Having finally been roused into life, the Sandgrounders drew level with 20 minutes remaining. After some diligent work, Carl Baker fed a cute pass to Tony Gray, who strode into the area and dispatched a precise finish into the bottom of the far corner.

Paul Cook’s side face resurgent Stevenage Borough on Tuesday evening before away matches at Weymouth and Altrincham. They remain in the relegation zone - one point adrift of Tamworth - but should results go against them in midweek, the Sandgrounders could find themselves bottom.

In a first-half of few opportunities, Tom Davis, the commanding St Albans midfielder, shot wide before firing an effort over the bar after some strong play.

Simon Martin also spurned a respectable opportunity for the visitors on the half-hour, cutting in from the left and firing into the side-netting with striker Paul Hakim placed invitingly in the centre.

Batt drew a solid save from keeper Robinson from distance, while Southport’s best opportunity of the half fell to Tony Gray in time added on. The striker got the better of defender David Theobald, but his close range shot was well smothered by stopper Bastock.

Earlier on in proceedings, the largely ineffectual Alex Smith flashed a 25-yard effort wide of the upright, before Theobald’s lunging challenge denied Gray after a slick move featuring Baker and Dino Maamria.

Mark Boyd’s controlled 40-yard pass on 54 minutes allowed Baker to supply a cross for Gray, whose header was tipped over by the veteran Bastock, while at the other end, Davis shot from outside the area to draw Robinson into a diving stop.

Hakim’s effort was deflected over by full-back Chris Lane after Alexis Nicolas had teamed-up with Clarke, before a smart individual work from Batt got the better of a careless Southport defence to give the visitors the lead.

Clarke then spurned from the spot, but after Gray had drawn the hosts level, Southport should have stolen an unwarranted victory. Boyd fired a 30-yard drive narrowly off target, before shooting wide from closer range and releasing Baker to do likewise.

Although Martin had a chance for St Albans, the Sandgrounders came mightily close at the death. Lee Hoolickin’s header produced spectacular reflex save from Bastock after a cross from Olsen, before Smith supplied a centre for Liam Blakeman to scrape the post with another aerial effort.

If home form is key to winning survival skirmishes, Southport had better get their act together.

(Southport 1 - 1 St Albans City - Southport.gb.com)

* Apologies, no photos available


Southport.gb.com Match Facts:

Southport: (4-4-2) 1. Ryan Robinson, 2. Chris Lane, 15. Stephen Rowland (3. Lee Hoolickin ’45), 26. Dan Kirkup, 11. James Olsen, 7. Carl Baker, 4. Michael Powell, 19. Joe Fowler (8. Liam Blakeman ’79), 17. Alex Smith, 10. Dino Maamria (6. Mark Boyd ’32), 9. Tony Gray.
Unused Substitutes: 12. John Bagnall, 23. Francis Barry.

Referee: M. Brown

Attendance: 1,005

Southport.gb.com Southport Man of the Match: 7. Carl Baker

Final Score: Southport 1, St Albans City 1
Possession: Southport 47%, St Albans City 53%
Shots on Target: Southport 5, St Albans City 5
Shots off Target: Southport 8, St Albans City 7
Corners: Southport 6, St Albans City 8
Fouls Committed: Southport 18, St Albans City 14
Bookings: Southport 1, St Albans City 3
Sent-Off: Southport 0, St Albans City 0