A late River Humphreys goal proved to be little more than a consolation for Widnes, who were beaten 3-1 by Southport in the quarter-final of the Liverpool Senior Cup at the Select Security Stadium.

After a well-contested, goalless first half, Ashley Grimes gave Southport the lead in the opening minute of the second period, before goals from Liam Hynes and Ryan Higgins extended the lead with 20 minutes remaining.

Widnes gave a good account of themselves throughout the tie, with Humphreys (pictured) heading home a lifeline eight minutes from time. However, Southport held on for the victory.

Joey Dunn made eight changes to the side that thrashed AFC Blackpool 7-0 last time out. Sam Sheen, Mike Burke and Kev Towey were all rested, whilst Jack Graham, Chris Lomax, Billy Webb and Daniel Hand dropped to the bench. Steve Akrigg was cup-tied.

Meanwhile, Southport made only four changes to the side that were beaten 3-1 by Bromley in the National League on Saturday in what turned out to be manager Steve Burr’s final game in charge. He was sacked on Monday morning with Director of Football Liam Watson being appointed interim manager.

Widnes had the better of the chances in the opening exchanges. Ross McDowell won a flick-on in midfield releasing strike-partner George Lomax who charged down a Liam Hynes clearance, only to see the ball drop inches wide of the post.

The two strikers linked up again two minutes later. McDowell won another header in midfield, allowing Lomax to burst forward. However, the striker snatched at his chance, firing his shot over on his return from suspension.

Southport came close to an opener on the 18-minute mark. Jamie Allen and Andrai Jones exchanged a neat one-two in the area, with Jones shooting narrowly wide of the near-post with a cushioned effort.

Widnes came agonizingly close to an opener themselves midway through the half. Luke J Edwards curled a delicious delivery into the area from a corner, finding McDowell in the area who could only direct his header narrowly over the bar.

The hosts looked their most threatening from set-pieces with River Humphreys glancing wide from yet another superb Edwards delivery.

Humphreys was then heavily involved defensively as Widnes had him to thank as Grimes hooked a shot at goal from close-range, only to be denied by the defender’s outstretched leg on the goalline.

Widnes ended the half with a period of sustained pressure. They again threatened from a set-piece as skipper Kev Pollard came close to breaking the deadlock with a downwards header after Edwards swung a dangerous delivery towards the back-post.

Halftime: Widnes 0-0 Southport

Whatever Southport interim manager Watson said at half-time had an immediate impact for the Sandgrounders as they took the lead within the opening minute of the restart. Ashley Grimes collected a loose ball in a rare bit of space and he found the top corner with a terrific effort from the edge of the area.

Southport began to take control following the opener, and they doubled their lead on the stroke of the hour-mark. Substitute Zac Adekoya battled his way through a crowd of Widnes bodies, with his attempted pass deflecting into the path of Liam Hynes, who hammered the loose ball home.

Hynes missed a glorious opportunity to double his account minutes later. Jones’ initial effort was blocked, with Hynes turning the ball over from close-range at the back-post.

The visitors showed their class in the second half and all-but sealed their progression into the last four 20 minutes from time. Ryan Higgins received the ball on the edge of the area, and curled a great strike into the top corner, leaving Widnes ‘keeper Owen Wheeler with no chance.

Jack Graham and Billy Webb were introduced for Widnes shortly afterwards and the latter came close to making an immediate impact. Lomax cleverly released the substitute who was denied a certain goal by a superb sliding challenge from Southport skipper Neil Ashton.

Widnes began to put Southport under pressure in the closing stages and their efforts were rewarded with a goal. It came from a set-piece as Edwards’ delivery from a free-kick found River Humphreys in the area, who found the corner with a bullet of a header to give Widnes a lifeline.

The hosts were denied a second goal by a superb save from Mason Springthorpe five minutes from time. Edwards played a well-weighted ball through to substitute Daniel Hand, who was given little time to pick his spot as the former Everton ‘keeper was out quickly to make the save.

Fulltime: Widnes 1-3 Southport

Widnes were excellent for large parts of the game, and gave a good account of themselves again a virtually full-strength National League side.

Next up for Joey Dunn’s side is a home game against Stockport Town on Saturday.