Ryan Charles scored Bishop’s Stortford’s first goal for 518 minutes as they went down 4-1 at Southport in Vanarama National League North on Tuesday evening (March 26).
The Blues conceded three times in the space of five minutes towards the end of the first half as they suffered a 17th consecutive league defeat.
Steve Smith’s men, whose relegation was confirmed on March 16, travel to champions-elect Tamworth tomorrow (Good Friday) before hosting third-from-bottom Banbury United on Easter Monday.
Richie Bennett hit the post from close range for Southport while the likes of Gio McGregor and Darren Foxley had opportunities for the Blues.
The 15th-placed hosts broke the deadlock eight minutes before half time when Josh Hmami volleyed home.
And by the interval they were 3-0 up as Marcus Carver, who found the bottom corner from the edge of the box, and Bennett, who tapped in at the far post, quickly added to Southport’s tally.
After the restart, Blues goalkeeper and captain Jack Giddens produced a fine save to deny Carver.
Charles gave the visitors a glimmer of hope with 16 minutes remaining when he found the net with a half-volley from the edge of the area.
But, after Carver forced Foxley into a goal-line clearance and Giddens into a reflex save, Danny Philliskirk added a fourth for Southport in added time with a first-time effort.
Southport: McMillan, Doyle, Anson, Lloyd (booked 44, Burgess 78), Carver, Quansah, Hmami, Arthur, Hockenhull, Philliskirk, Bennett (Russ 81). Not used: Flowers, Evans, Heath.
Blues: Giddens, Akolbire, Kassarate, Robbins, Beadle, McGregor, Foxley, Oke (Harvey 12), Thomas, Charles, Alexander (Lusardi 79). Not used: Messaoudin, Greene.
Attendance: 607.
