Kettering, bottom of the Conference table, collected three valuable points with a home victory over Southport thanks to goalkeeper Ian Bowling.

Southport conceded an early goal and had Chris Lane sent off just before half-time.

They spent the rest of the game pounding the Kettering goal but to no effect as Bowling defied them time and again.

Kettering struck in the 12th minute when Victor Asombang collected Martin Matthews' pass and hammered the ball home from the edge of the penalty area.

Southport's hopes nosedived when Lane was sent off for a foul on Craig Norman.

Southport went all out for a goal after the interval and went close through a Barry Jones header which was tipped round the post by Bowling.

A close-range header from Peter Thompson was well saved by the goalkeeper.

Bowling was a busy man, blocking a close-range shot from Steve Soley who then missed on the left with a 20-yard shot.

Norman had a rare chance for Kettering but his long-range shot was well saved by Steve Dickinson, while Gez Murphy squandered another chance with a weak shot.

Robert Pell had a late chance to test Bowling but the goalkeeper was again up to the task.

Kettering: Bowling, Gordon, Haran, Howarth, Norman, Diuk, Matthews, Boyle-Chong, Inman, Asombang, Murphy. Subs: Shutt, McKenzie, Parker, Edwards, Gourley.

Southport: Dickinson, Barry Jones, Clark, Moore, Lane, Steve Jones, Soley, Pickford, Howell, Pell, Wheatcroft. Subs: Thomson, Winstanley, Gibson, Prince, Welsby.

Referee: M Atkinson (Leeds).