AFC Fylde 1 Spennymoor Town 0: Late goal gives Coasters three points

It looked as though both teams would have to settle for a point on Tuesday night before Haughton struck a decisive blow in the final few minutes.

Jim Bentley made two changes to the side that started against Exeter City with Jordan Lussey and Jack Sanders making way for Nathan Pond and David Perkins.

The first 10 minutes were heavily controlled by the home side, who kept hold of the ball superbly without creating any clear-cut chances.

That early dominance led to the first chance as Pond rose highest to meet a corner, but his header was too high to test keeper Dale Eve.

Ben Tollitt caused problems in the opening stages with a cross headed goalwards by Jordan Hulme but the danger was averted.

At the other end, Spennymoor saw a free-kick find captain James Curtis inside the area, and though Fylde keeper Chris Neal was unable to hold his header, the Coasters scrambled it clear.

Tollitt continued to pose a threat for the Coasters with another ball into Hulme’s path forcing Eve to rush out before seeing the keeper parry away a free-kick.

On the stroke of half-time there was a chance for the visitors to test the home defence through Scott McLean.

The Coasters cleared a corner, only for the ball to fall for McLean who took one touch but then saw his volley held by Neal.

Having got a foothold in the game prior to the break, the visitors began the second half in similar fashion.

Former Coaster Tyler Forbes went down the left wing before sending a low cross towards Ben McKenna.

He took one touch and shot under Neal but Pond was in the right place at the right time to clear off the line.

A mistake in the Fylde defence then allowed Glen Taylor to break free, and with a clear run on goal, he looked certain to score but for a vital interception from Alex Whitmore.

Bentley’s players began to ramp up the pressure on their visitors as the second half progressed.

Tollitt continued to be involved in the thick of things, cutting in from the right-hand side and seeing his shot tipped away.

Nathan Shaw saw a curling effort go narrowly off target and, as the game entered the final 10 minutes, Haughton’s deflected effort was smothered by the keeper.

He was not to be denied, however, as the winner came late on.

Haughton started his run on the right-hand side of the 18-yard box before weaving his way across to the left and then into the area, where he unleashed a left-footed shot into the far corner.

There was still time, however, for the visitors to go close to an equaliser.

Mark Anderson thought he had found the leveller when he hit a stinging shot towards goal.

However, Neal stood firm and held on to the relief of everybody connected with the Coasters.

The final whistle brought with it roars from Bentley and his staff with the three points keeping the Coasters joint top of the table alongside Gloucester City.

AFC Fylde: Neal, Burke, Conlan, Pond, Whitmore, Tollitt, Philliskirk, Perkins, Haughton, Shaw (Mondal 86), Hulme (Willoughby 72). Subs not used: Sanders, Lussey, Ogle.

Spennymoor Town: Eve, Forbes, Curtis, Buddle, Blakeman, Spencer, Moke (Anderson 65), McKenna, Ramshaw, McLean, Taylor. Subs not used: Tait, Hall, Kennedy, Thompson.

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