TWO late goals dashed Daisy Hill’s hopes of causing an upset as they went down to a 3-1 defeat at Southport in the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy on Tuesday night.

A Connor Hughes strike had given Daisy a lead they held until the midway point of the second half, when Connor Woods levelled for the National League North side.

Nonetheless, it looked like Daisy would hold out to take the game to a penalty shootout until Niall Watson struck twice in the last two minutes to seal victory for Southport.

Despite the disappointing result it was, however, a fine overall display from Daisy Hill who more than matched opponents from four leagues above.

They took the lead on 19 minutes when Connor Hughes picked up a ball down the right flank, cut inside and spotting a gap at the near post, rifled a shot past Southport keeper Tony McMillan.

Before half time Daisy rode their luck when a shot deflected off a defender, and a header from Southport striker Watson, both hit the woodwork but eventually their defence was breached just after the hour mark.

A long throw from Doug Tharme into the penalty area was flicked into the path of Woods, who tucked the ball into the net from close range.

Determined defending by Daisy kept the home side out until two minutes from time when they failed to deal with another long throw into the box, and after keeper Morgan Newns had saved the first attempt on goal, Watson followed up to side foot the loose ball past the grounded keeper.

Southport sealed victory on the stroke of full time when Watson collected a through ball, rounded Newns and rolled the ball into the empty net.