A workman-like, 10-man Southport retrieved a one goal deficit to take maximum points on a fiery opening day.

Vauxhall took the lead in a sleepy first half before the home side came into their own during an explosive second period in which their dogged determination proved decisive.

Dangerman Peter Cumiskey came close to giving Motors the lead after 7 minutes when his vicious snap-shot whistled narrowly wide of Dickinson’s right-hand post after he’d shrugged off defender Fitzhenry.

The visitors took the lead on 16 through forward James Colsen.

Spellman’s high inswinging centre from the right was met by the head of Colsen, who rose unchallenged and looped a header over Dickinson and into his left-hand corner from 16-yards.

The Sandgrounders could not find a rhythm of play, while their passing was lethargic and subsequently were offensively weak. Wherever they went, a compact Vauxhall unit were there first and making their presence felt.

The only shot on target the ‘Port registered in the opening half was a ranged effort from Price which failed to trouble ‘keeper Dittmar. ‘Port striker Terry Fearns, against his former club, saw a limp header sail wide as the half fizzled out into a dour affair.

Southport, no doubt rallied by their passionate manager at the interval, responded in the best way possible, but it was not without entertaining drama of the highest calibre.

The home side drew level when striker Fearns netted to rub salt into the wounds of Vauxhall, who were already bitter following his summer switch.

Williams executed an inswinging cross from the right, allowing Robinson to beat his marker before placing the ball into the path of Fearns with a subtle header. The Southport predator hooked his foot around the ball to fire home a volley from 8-yards.

The home side were now in the ascendancy and Leadbetter fired a snap-shot at Dittmar who collected at the second attempt.

The drama intensified on the hour when former Southport striker Karl O’Donnell forced a penalty against the run of play.

He slid past defender Neil Fitzhenry before forcing a parrying save from Dickinson. The ball returned to the youngster who shot at the empty goal for the ball to be ‘deliberately’ scraped off the line by the hand of back-tracking defender Farrell Kilbane.

But ‘keeper Steve Dickinson was an equal match for penalty-taker Peter Cumiskey, who fired the ball low to the ‘keeper’s right, only for Dickinson to product his customary heroics.

Down to 10-men, Southport did not crumble but instead were rejuvenated by their ‘keeper’s brilliance and apparent self-belief.

The home side were cruelly denied a second by some desperate Vauxhall defending on 65 minutes. Recovering defender Mike Tomlinson hacked the ball off his goal line after Fearns lobbed the ball over advancing ‘keeper Dittmar. Robinson’s shot from the rebound was blocked and subsequently fell to Chris Price who fed Fearns but his shot narrowly missed the target.

Southport, rampant at this stage, took a deserved lead on 80 minutes following patient approach play involving Williams and Mortimer.

Sub Davis swept the ball forward, and the advancing Morley flicked a ball through to skipper Chris Price who executed a swivel shot with his left foot and into the bottom as a vibrant Haig Avenue went wild.

Towards the closing stages, it was the full-strength visitors who were hanging on, in particular terrorised by the effervescent Lee Mulvaney who had replaced Neil Robinson. Playing as a lone striker he harrowed defenders and was unlucky to be denied when Dittmar collected his stoppage time effort.

The Sandgrounders made it 12 consecutive years without defeat on the opening day of the season, but will aim to break the record of failing to win promotion in each season after doing so.