A spirited display by a young Oldham Athletic side unfortunately ended in a 3-1 defeat against a much older and experienced Southport team.
Ross Dyer and Scott Kay had given the visitors a two goal lead at half time. Jordan Bove pulled one back with 20 minutes remaining but Stephen Brogan struck on 75 minutes to send Southport through to the second round of the Lancashire Senior Cup.
The youngsters started the half brightly, keeping the ball well but Southport took the lead in their first attack of the game. A cross into the box by Paul Rutherford was met by the onrushing Dyer and he powered past the helpless Joel Coleman to give Southport the lead.
Latics were not overawed by their opponents and looked to hit back instantly.
Devante Jacobs, Jordache Walters and Jordan Bove were proving to be a nuisance in the Southport defence.
Five minutes after the goal, Walters' shot beat the goalkeeper but just trickled past the post.
The home side were keeping possession well and dictated the play with the visitors happy to sit back and soak up the pressure.
Just after the half hour mark, Walters smashed a shot from 25 yards which the Southport stopper did well to save and from the resulting corner Jacobs almost latched onto Jack Tuohy's delivery.
Southport almost extended their lead five minutes from time but Andy Mitchell's thunder strike smashed against the crossbar and away from danger.
The visitors did extend their lead into stoppage time of the first half. A cross into the box found Kay and he prodded the past Coleman to put Southport two goals in front going into the break.
Latics came out brightly in the second half with Alex Read going close with a shot from the edge of the area five minutes into the half.
Minutes later, Bove span his defender but as he raced through on goal, his touch just exceeded him.
After Rutherford went close for the visitors, Bove did reduce the arrears on 70 minutes. Jacobs did well to keep the ball in on the byline and he cut the ball back to Bove to fire home from 12 yards.
As Latics went in search of a leveller, they were hit on the break and Southport regained their two goal lead. Dyer saw his initial shot saved by Coleman but the goalkeeper was powerless to deny Brogan from five yards as the visitors extended their lead.
The young Latics battled against their older and more experienced opponents but could not manage to get back in to the game and Southport progress through to the next round of the competition.
Oldham Athletic: Coleman, Parmer (Scullion 62'), Fulwood, Etches, Edmondson, Grant, Read, Tuohy (Mantak 85'), Jacobs, Walters (Hargreaves 79'), Bove.
Subs not used: Renshaw, Knight.
Southport: Lloyd-Weston, Fitzpatrick, Kay, George, Brogan, Lynch, Connor, Dyer (Jewell 85'), Marsden, Mitchell, Rutherford.
Subs not used: Smith, Hall, Joyce.
Goals: Oldham Athletic (Bove 70') 1-3 Southport (Dyer 4', Kay 45+1', Brogan 76')