SECOND-BOTTOM Southport will have endured their worst run without a home victory for more than 15 years if they fail to beat York City tomorrow.

The Sandgrounders have not won any of their last nine home games, meaning they will hit double figures if they cannot prevail this weekend and that would represent the longest fruitless sequence at Haig Avenue since the 2002/03 campaign witnessed 12 successive triumph-less contests.

But Liam Watson’s men have been improving on their own soil in recent times, racking up three draws against Darlington (0-0), Spennymoor (1-1) and Ashton United (2-2) after a run of six consecutive home losses.

The Merseysiders’ last victory in front of their own fans was seven months ago when Telford were seen off 3-0 on March 13.

Surprisingly, given what has materialised since, that result was Southport’s sixth home win on the bounce.

But the nine-match barren run has seen the side net just five times and concede 13 goals.

The seaside club have also won just two of their last 20 National League North fixtures, including one of their first 11 this campaign after ending last term with eight defeats from their final nine matches, resulting in just ten points taken from a possible 60.

Southport’s sole league success this season was a 4-1 triumph at fellow strugglers Nuneaton in mid-August.

Since then, Watson’s men have drawn four of their six league fixtures, although the Sandgrounders have progressed through two rounds of the FA Cup, winning at Farsley (3-0) and Curzon Ashton (2-1).

Southport’s struggles so far in 2018/19 have come as somewhat of a surprise, given they boast last season’s 26-goal National League North leading marksman Jason Gilchrist on their books.

The 23-year-old, former FC United of Manchester forward has only netted once in ten outings this season and has started the last four games on the bench, managing just 37 minutes of action in that time.

As well as Gilchrist, fellow forward Mike Phenix has also found his opportunities limited despite grabbing 11 goals last season for title-winners Salford City on their way to automatic promotion into the National League.

Phenix has not featured in the first XI during the last six matches, with Watson selecting the same starting line-up for four fixtures on the spin, including the two Cup wins, a 2-0 defeat to Brackley and a 0-0 draw with Darlington

With Gilchrist and Phenix on the sidelines, former AFC Fylde and Halifax midfielder Dion Charles is currently the leading marksman on four goals.

Defender Zac Corbett, meanwhile, is Southport’s only injury absentee, having been ruled out for the campaign in pre-season.

But there will be a familiar face in the visitors’ dugout with ex-City 1990s’ favourite Jon McCarthy the home team’s assistant manager.

Following a brief spell as Port Vale fitness coach under former Harrogate Town chief Neil Aspin, McCarthy arrived at Southport in December 2017 to become ex-England striker Kevin Davies’ number two.

He retained that position when Watson took over as manager for a third time following Davies’ dismissal at the end of last season.