The Sandgrounders and ourselves regularly played each other until the mid70s.

We met twice in a week in the old Third Division North in season 1921-22.  It was the practice in those days to play back-to-back matches, although in our case we had an away game at Ashington in between.

We lost that first game against Southport by 3-1, with Eddie Wolstenholme scoring our goal.

Team: Greig, Greaves, Barbour, Burridge, Sutcliffe, Malcolm, Dolphin, Hopper, Travis, Wolstenholme, Winship

But the week after, we gained our revenge with a 3-0 win at Feethams, Norman Crook and graham Doggart (2) scoring our goals.

Team; Brown, Greaves, Barbour, Burridge, Sutcliffe, Malcolm, Dolphin, Healey, Crook, Doggart, Winship

We played each other regularly in the Football League until season 1977-78, when Southport failed to win re-election and were replaced by Wigan Athletic.

We met again in seasons 2010-11 and 2011-12 in the Conference Premier

The last time we played Southport was on 16^th September last year, when we drew 0-0 at Haig Avenue.

The highlight of the game was keeper Jonny Maddison saving a penalty from Bradley Bauress after Jonny Burn was adjudged to have fouled Southport’s Jake Sampson.

Maddison also made good saves from Davern Green and Sampson, while former Hartlepool player Jordan Richards hit the post with a free kick.

At the other end, Quakers thought that Jordan Richards should have been given a penalty after he was brought down, while Reece Styche forced Southport keeper Daniel Hanford into a good save with a header.

Darlington: Maddison, Trotman, Jonny Burn, Hughes, O’Hanlon, Elliott, Glover, Henshall (sub Saunders 65), Nicholson, Thompson, Styche

Subs not used: Stansfield, Aaron Burn, Galbraith, Morrison

Saturday's game will be the 96^th between the two clubs in all competitions. Quakers have won 34 and Southport 43, with the other 18 being draws.