Match Report by Matt Stephens

The result means the Nash rise to third in the National League North, only two points behind first place and next opponents Chorley, with two games in hand on the two sides ahead.

Keeping a clean sheet has confirmed that Curzon have the best defensive record in the division so far this season, boasting the least goals conceded with only 11 in 17 games.

It was essential that the fans in attendance wrapped up in several layers given the bitter conditions, though it was still a welcome change in weather compared to that of Saturday, when a storm cancelled the game against Radcliffe half way through.

Isaac Buckley-Ricketts discovered how to beat the cold early on – by dancing past the Southport defenders on the left flank before cutting into the box and forcing Chris Renshaw in the opposition net to get down well, saving at his near post following a deflection.

The winger continued to cause problems in the opening stages, repeating his move from before with quick feet and impressive skills to cut inside and find the near post, but once again the keeper had the better of him.

Renshaw, who was Curzon’s Players’ and Supporters’ Player of the Year in the 22/23 season, was difficult to beat for Buckley-Ricketts, proving it would take more than a near post shot to beat the talented keeper.

Neither side were able to take control for much of the first half, the story of the first third of the game being one of misplaced passes and restless staff on the sidelines in a game that simply refused to open up.

That remained the case until the 31^st minute, when Jimmy Spencer found the net for the first time since the opening game of the season to give the Nash a 1-0 lead.

Luke Griffiths floated in an immaculate corner that found the captain at the near post, who’s header left the keeper dumbfounded as it flew across him and into the right side of the net.

The visitors tried to increase the tempo of the game in the following minutes, but to no avail as both sides quickly fell into the same old habits.

Curzon sprung a quick counter attack in the 38^th minute when Isaac Sinclair robbed the ball on the halfway line – his pass found Buckley-Ricketts, who flicked the ball off the outside of his right boot and into the path of Spencer, though the striker couldn’t find his brace as he placed his first-time effort just over the bar.

The Nash went into the break with the scoreline on their side after a hard-fought first half, with work still to do in the second 45 to hold off the Sandgrounders.

Will Hayhurst wasn’t able to capitalise on the first real chance of the second half when he fired his right-footed effort over the bar from the edge of the Southport area.

Mike Afuye made way for top-scorer Stefan Mols in the 60^th minute in a bid to give Curzon a more comfortable lead for the final third of the game.

David Worrall came on 8 minutes later, replacing goalscorer Jimmy Spencer, the striker receiving a round of applause for his efforts from the Nash fans as he left the field.

Buckley-Ricketts came agonisingly close to doubling the lead in the 71^st minute as he sliced his chance wide of the right post on the end of some spectacular build up play featuring almost the entire team.

Sinclair and Hayhurst both demonstrated remarkable dribbling and some clever flicks from Mols and Buckley-Ricketts unlocked the defence, but the latter was left hoping he wouldn’t rue his mistake.

The 75^th minute saw Mols played in behind and barreling towards goal, but he lacked composure in the crucial moment and leathered his shot straight at Renshaw, the parry resulting in a clearance by the away defence.

Chris Renshaw gave Southport yet another lifeline in the 83^rd minute, diving to make a fantastic save after Buckley-Ricketts placed an effort towards the bottom left corner – a frustrating evening for him as he just couldn’t find a way to beat the keeper.

Curzon’s second half performance was a major improvement as they proved much more of a threat, though there was a beautiful irony in the fact they couldn’t score when they played their best football, but could when they struggled to dominate.

Sobowale entered the pitch in place of Luke Griffiths to offer some fresh legs to successfully see the game out.

The Nash will travel to Chorley in a battle for first place next time out, with the opponents sitting top of the table by two points – Curzon, however, have two games in hand, so a win would offer them a fantastic advantage over what could become a chasing pack.

It is a must-win game for our title hopes, so make sure to make the short trip to Victory Park to spur the Nash on!