Sensing a change in the mood

SOUTHPORT manager Kevin Davies praised the new additions to his Southport side after viewing what he believed to be a much improved performance in the FA Trophy draw at Stockport County.

The Sandgrounders chief is still searching for his first win after seven games in charge at Haig Avenue, but after two heavy defeats in succession, Davies (pictured) was proud of the performance.

Bohan Dixon opened the scoring for Stockport before Andy White levelled minutes later from left-wing back in Davies’ new-look 3-4-1-2 formation. When record signing Jason Gilchrist put Southport in the lead on his debut with just over twenty minutes remaining, it seemed as though Davies’ winless run was about to come to an end.

But former Sandgrounder Darren Stephenson came on from the bench to equalise with four minutes remaining and ensure Davies’ search for that illusive first win continued.

The ex-Bolton striker, however, was upbeat in his assessment, reserving praise for his recent signings.

“I was really proud of the performance,” he said.

“Man for man they were outstanding, we could have got that extra goal.

“You can sense something with the leaders we have brought in, the changes that have been made, the character and response has been outstanding in the past week and the training has been really good.”

And Davies believes the performance could be the jump-start needed to re-ignite Southport’s stuttering form.

“We can feel something turning within this group, it is starting to come together”.