WEST Park’s poor start to 2018 continued as a travelling Southport side emerged 18-3 victors on Saturday.

An uninspired performance from Park was not helped by injuries and indiscipline in the South Lancs and Cheshire Division One clash.

Park were forced to compete for 55 minutes of the match with only 14 men – and at one stage had only 13 players.

Southport started strongly, converting a penalty in the opening minutes to take instant control of the game.

Followed by a try in the corner, though not converted, Southport led 8-0 at the interval.

Park weren’t without their fair share of possession, but an uncharacteristically dysfunctional back line made simple catching and passing look laboured and over-complicated.

A successful penalty conversion from Josh Ainsworth brought the scores a little closer but pressure started to mount on the home side's reduced numbers.

Two further tries from Southport in the second half, both executed with simple rugby left Park with too much to do to reduce the deficit.

West Park travel to Tyldesley on Saturday when a resurgent performance is needed to get back to winning ways.