York City 1 AFC Fylde 3: Haughton double seals victory on Coasters' long-awaited return

Alex Whitmore scored the only goal of the first half for the visitors and, despite Sean Newton's penalty threatening a comeback from the Minstermen, it was Jim Bentley’s side who reigned supreme.

It was Fylde's first competitive fixture since the 2-0 victory over AFC Telford on January 9 and York had last played four days before that.

Manager Bentley took his place in the dugout for the first time since his heart surgery 11 weeks earlier.

As the rain poured, it was the Coasters who started the game on the front foot, seeing a goal disallowed inside 10 minutes following a well-worked corner that caught the hosts off-guard.

On 12 minutes, Haughton almost got his side off to the perfect start, finding himself in acres of space 25 yards out from goal. He showed his disappointment as his right-foot effort sailed harmlessly over the bar.

The hosts fought back into the game and it was Gabby McGill who almost capitalised on a mix-up between keeper Chris Neal and Luke Conlan. However, the Dunfermline Athletic loanee was unable to convert from a tight angle.

Ben Tollitt started to stamp his authority on the game with 10 minutes of the first half to play, first seeing a curling effort shave the post before stinging the palms of keeper Pete Jameson moments later.

It took until the 45th minute for the opening goal to arrive. A drilled Haughton corner was bravely flicked towards the back-post by Jack Sampson and the ball fell perfectly for Whitmore to slot home. The defender’s delight was plain to see as he opened his account for the season.

Two late challenges from home winger Harry Bunn were the most notable features of the second half's first 10 minutes.

But then came the Coasters’ second goal with 57 minutes on the clock. An outrageous long-range free-kick from Haughton smashed against the crossbar before rebounding off Jameson’s back and across the line.

AFC Fylde’s jubilation was shortlived, seeing their two-goal advantage halved just five minutes later.

David Perkins was penalised for tripping Jack Redshaw inside the area on 62 minutes, giving skipper Newton the chance to drill home from the spot. He sent Neal the wrong way and it was game on.

That sparked York into life as they began their search for an equaliser, upping the tempo and getting the ball to substitute Redshaw, who was causing problems.

But it was Sam Osborne, making his full debut, who carved out a fabulous chance to extend Fylde’s lead, though Jameson did well to divert his strike over the bar.

All three points were sealed on 77 minutes, when another Haughton wonder-strike killed off York’s hopes of a comeback.

There was no crossbar needed this time as the midfielder curled the ball expertly into the top corner from 25 yards out.

The Fylde defence was kept busy in the dying embers of the game, with York looking to pull one back.

Nathan Pond and Whitmore stood strong, though, soaking up the York pressure and marshalling their side to a huge three points on the road.

The victory makes it three wins out of three for Fylde in 2021 and lifts them above Chester into second place, five points behind Gloucester City with three games in hand.

Fylde: Neal, Burke, Conlan , Pond, Whitmore, Tollitt, Philliskirk, Perkins (Nolan 73), Osborne (Mondal 73), Haughton (Hulme 83), Sampson; Subs not used: Obi, Willoughby

York: Jameson, Duckworth, Tinkler (Dyson 60), Brown, Newton, Barrow, Woods, McLaughlin, Bunn, McGill (Redshaw 60), Gilchrist (Cassidy 52); Subs not used: Whitley, Kennedy.

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