United travel up to Southport[@opponent]Southport[/@opponent] today, hoping to extend their record of three successive wins, and therefore put further pressure on Conference leaders Dagenham & Redbridge, who are ten points clear. When the sides met in Oxford on 3 October, it was the Merseysiders who took an early lead, to be pegged back by a Rob Duffy penalty. Port went ahead again, only for United to scrape a draw by virtue of another Duffy spot kick, in the last minute. United will be hoping to emulate Dagenham's 4-1 win at Haig Avenue on Saturday.[@report]273[/@report]

Following the excellent performance against Stevenage on Saturday, Jim Smith may well keep the same side, assuming that Duffy has recovered from the knock that saw him substituted. One possible change might be to bring in Rufus Brevett in place of Gavin Johnson at left back, given the large number of games this month. With Chris Hargreaves back from suspension, Smith will need to decide whether the conditions in Southport are more suitable to a battling midfielder, or whether United need the flare and creativity that Andy Burgess can provide. However, the dominance of the midfield against Stevenage might militate against Smith making any changes in the hope that the side can maintain its momentum.

The Sandgrounders are currently third from bottom of the Conference, and have lost over half of their home fixtures.[@connection]Southport[/@connection] However, they recently beat Aldershot 1-0 at home, so United can't afford to treat them lightly. Former United player and manager Mark Wright[@manager]Wright, Mark[/@manager] cut his managerial teeth at Southport, but we can forgive them for that. Wright, like Smith, preferred a 3-5-2 formation, but Smith has learned that he has the players for 4-4-2 and has altered to suit. We are uncharacteristically optimistic for this evening, and believe that United will win 2-0. Normal service will doubtless soon be restored.

There is a full programme of Conference fixtures this evening, with leaders Dagenham at home to 19th-placed Stafford Rangers, where they can probably expect all three points, nicely wrapped. Third-placed York City, seven points adrift of the Yellows, are also at home, facing Northwich Victoria, while Gravesend & Northfleet, in fourth place but level on points with York, are at home to rapidly fading Weymouth. Exeter, in the final play-off place, also have a home fixture, against even more rapidly fading Grays Athletic, in 20th place. Morecambe, who lie just outside the play-offs, have a trip to Rushden & Diamonds.