One goal will win it – that is the verdict of Southport boss Liam Watson ahead of Saturday’s eagerly-anticipated FA Trophy quarter-final at AFC Telford United.

The Lancashire side boast the best defensive record in the Blue Square North and Watson is convinced there will be little to separate the two sides in the race to Wembley.

The Bucks came out on top with a 1-0 win in the league meeting between the two at the New Bucks Head in December, but Southport’s form has been good since then.

And – having already beaten Vauxhall Motors, Altrincham, Durham City and Torquay in their Trophy run so far – the Sandgrounders’ chief is cautiously optimistic.

“We know it’s going to be a very, very tough game,” said Watson. 

“You look at their side and they’re packed with good players, and I think Rob would say the same about us.

“I can only really see there being one goal in it, the same as the last time we played.

“We’ve only conceded five away in the league all season, which is a bit of a freak campaign really.

“We’ve got an awful lot of resilience and it’s very much a game to look forward to.

“I don’t think it’s the draw either side would have picked, but both will see it as a good chance to go through.”

Watson and Smith are good friends off the park and talk most days – though the Southport chief revealed there had been little banter about the big Trophy clash.

“There was more last Sunday when my team Everton took the Micky out of his team Villa in the FA Cup,” he joked.

“I was saying how much he must love the M6. 

“He went all the way up to Workington (for Telford’s game) on Saturday and then back up to Liverpool on Sunday – and was on the losing side both times!”

By CHRIS HUDSON