Dearden told Radio Nottingham:
"Full marks to Southport, but we conceded just before half-time and we went to sleep for their third.
"We were all geared up to get a result. I feel very sorry for our supporters, we will have to pick ourselves up. We could have done with a cup run.''
"At 2-0 I still fancied us to win it, but we let in a silly goal which got them back in. They used the extra man well, and we went to sleep for the goals."
"The supporters must be having a terrible journey home, and I feel worse than them and we have pick ourselves up."