Liam Watson was quick to secure a permanent deal for Robinson, and he played a major part in getting the club in an entry position for the newly created Conference North, scoring 15 goals in just 15 games in his first season with Southport in the Unibond Premier Division.
After helping keep Southport in the Conference National in the 2005/2006 season, much of the relegation survival squad left unable to make the transition to full-time, including Robinson.
Neil followed ex-Southport manager, Liam Watson to Burscough, in the Unibond Premier, in a deal involving Kevin Leadbetter and Neil Fitzhenry, with Tony Gray heading the opposite way to Haig Avenue.
Here, Robinson was a pivotal player in Burscough's treble winning season, which saw them promoted to the Conference North.
In October 2007, Robinson rejoined Southport, for an undisclosed fee, after Peter Davenport has reportedly been impressed with him.