IT was perhaps fitting Southport lost their opening game thanks to a man named Jolley because in defeat they have found real reason for optimism.

Returning to non-league’s top flight against AFC Wimbledon, many arrived at Haig Avenue unsure if the Sandgrounders would be able to mix it with one of the division’s big guns on Saturday afternoon and for the rest of the season.

But despite the 1-0 loss, when Christian Jolley capitalised on ponderous defending to fire into an empty net with goalkeeper Tony McMillan stranded on 72 minutes, Liam Watson’s men showed enough battle and bite for the big time.

Supporters left the game disappointed but confident survival can be achieved and had the Yellows be awarded a penalty in the 28th minute when Brett Johnson appeared to handle Matty McNeil’s close range effort, then today Watson’s men could be toasting an opening day win.

Of course, Southport required McMillan to palm away Jon Main’s penalty in the first-half after Matty McGinn was ruled to have fouled Wimbledon’s Sam Hatton just inside the area but caused the visitors such problems throughout that away manager Terry Brown declared his confidence the Yellows will keep their top flight status this campaign.

The manner in which Port conceded proved the exception to their defensive rule as they managed to keep AFC at bay for long periods whilst fashioning chances of their own, though were left to rue a lack of clinical finishing.

Southport piled forward in the closing stages to try and find a response to Jolley’s goal but found a stubborn Wimbledon defence with only Chris Lever’s low effort finding a way through, however the shot was saved by Seb Brown.

Port played the final stages with a one man advantage after Lee Minshull’s two-footed lunge on Alan Moogan earned him a straight red card.

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