HARRIERS suffered successive home league defeats after a nightmare first half saw them well beaten 4-1 against Southport.

In an afternoon that mirrored much of the games against the likes of Ashton and FC United, Harriers found themselves without an answer to an away side's rally.

Port went four up in less than 35 minutes when George Sampson twice netted and Jason Gilchrist's well-taken header was added to by Dion Charles.

The Reds did manage a second-half goal from Jimmy O'Connor, but to label it a consolation may be a little excessive.

The tone was set early; Southport were ahead within three minutes as a long-range effort from Sampson struck the back of Gilchrist and looped up and over Brandon Hall.

With a dozen on the clock, Daniels had one of the better home chances of the day when he fired over from a corner routine, but Southport soon had their second when Gilchrist was left unmarked to head in a cross.

Charles and Morgan each had chances to make it three within the following six minutes, the game effectively over past the half hour when, on 33, Johnson was one of three Harriers players to rise and meet a near-post throw-in from Southport only to inadvertently head the ball beyond Hall with Sampson nearby.

Seconds later, Charles was left completely unchallenged and carried the ball towards goal before shooting, the effort again deflecting up and over the dive of Hall.

Harriers made sweeping changes at the break and introduced Ironside, Austin and Richards to try and make a dent in the deficit - the former managed the team's first effort on target of the day with a header that Hanford held well.

On the hour, Weeks struck over with a free kick, before Daniels again struck an effort over the bar after winning the ball well.

The only goal for the hosts arrived on 68 minutes when O'Connor's flick took Williams' shot beyond Hanford and into the far corner, before which Chambers blasted wide on the angle after finding space out wide.

There perhaps should have been a fifth for Southport in the final minute but, as Charles broke through, Hall stood strong and brilliantly denied him.

Fresh from a spectacular goal and victory to match on Tuesday night, wing back Lee Vaughan is looking to take that form into Saturday’s Aggborough encounter with Southport.

Harriers travelled to face Leamington in midweek, winning 4-0 thanks to goals from Dan Bradley, Declan Weeks, Ashley Chambers and Vaughan, who crashed an effort in off the underside of the bar to complete a fine night for Harriers.

What was pleasing for Vaughan was that the performance showed a good response to the recent setback against FC United Of Manchester, where Harriers fell to a 2-1 victory despite taking an early lead.

“We responded very well to the setback that we had here at home and we’ve reacted in the right way - I think it was one of our best performances of the season,” said Vaughan.

“We’ve got to take that into the home game against Southport, as we’ve got a lot of things to put right - I think we let people down against FC United at home where we had an opportunity to claw back some points on Chorley."

At the start of the season they were up there as one of the best teams..."  Lee Vaughan on Southport

On netting his first of the season on Tuesday, Vaughan expressed his delight at returning to getting his name on the score sheet.

“Ed takes about three players with him nowadays - it’s given me a bit of space on the right and I’ve just caught it well - Breeden’s got no chance with that!”.

Southport come into the game following a 2-2 draw against Curzon Ashton, where they scored within the last ten minutes.

That combined with the unpredictability of this league means that Vaughan knows how difficult Saturday’s match against Southport will be.

“At the start of the season they were up there as one of the best teams with the signings that they made, so let’s not look at the league position - I don’t think they’re a bad side,” admitted Vaughan.

“It’s been a great start to the season, we’ve had games where we have played really well”.

Heading into the match, Neil MacFarlane has a fully fit squad to select from, possibly with the exception of Declan Weeks who may need to shake off a knock obtained on Tuesday.

WATCH: Ashley Chambers' full pre-match video interview, courtesy of our YouTube channel, by clicking the video tab above.