We're competing but need defenders says Fylde boss

The Coasters are still seeking a win following promotion to the National League, suffering their first defeat against Maidenhead on Tuesday after three draws.

Challinor was already short of defenders before captain Josh Langley was sent off barely 20 minutes into that 4-1 midweek setback.

Transfer windows have been scrapped in the top tier of non-league but Challinor admits his recruitment plans may still be affected by the Football League’s August 31 deadline.

He explained: “We are trying to bring the right players in. I’d like a little more experience and we are short defensively, though we knew that before the season started.

“We have only four fit defenders and have been using (midfielder) Andy Bond as a stopgap. We need to strengthen. I’ve tried some things with loan players which haven’t happened.

“Clubs are keeping hold of players at the moment, but as the Football League deadline gets closer we may become a more attractive proposition.”

Langley is suspended for just one game but has picked up a knee injury, while midfielder Sam Finley may also be doubtful for Saturday’s home clash with Dagenham and Redbridge after a midweek knock.

It will certainly get no easier for Fylde against an unbeaten Daggers side who contested last season’s play-offs and were playing in League One six years ago.

But Challinor believes his charges have already proved they can compete at this level. He added: “I don’t think we’ve had our just desserts. We could have pinched a win against Boreham Wood and we should have won at Ebbsfleet last weekend.

“We could have had five points or seven instead of three, then our position wouldn’t look bad. But we brought about our own downfall on Tuesday.

“We paid the price for what was a bad decision on our part, but it’s a real kick in the teeth when an incident like that results in a red card as well as a penalty.

“But even then we had five good chances to get back into the match. We didn’t take them and sometimes things conspire against you.”