The Coasters overcame a strong Gainsborough Trinity side at Kellamergh Park thanks to goals from Danny Rowe and a Richie Allen penalty.  The nerves were tingling for Fylde with just a few minutes left when substitute Darryn Stamp scored for Trinity, but The Coasters held on to record a ninth league win in a row.

It was nearly a disaster start for Fylde, as Gainsborough’s Liam Davis shot straight into Ben Hinchliffe’s hands but it was a statement of intent from the away side from the off.  The game largely was quite even, with both sides threatening at times.  The Coaster’s first chance of the game fell to Danny Rowe but his attempt was well wide from 18 yards out.

New loan signing Jamie Allen, making his first start for The Coasters, looking impressive throughout with his tricky and obvious pace, and he saw a shot well saved by Budtz after 20 minutes and then the away side went on the offensive with a shot from Davis but it was palmed away.

Then came the opening goal through Danny Rowe, who out-jumped the Gainsborough defence and headed home from around six yards out.  It didn’t look like the cross was going to come to anything, but Rose leapt highest and put Fylde 1-0 up.

That was pretty much it for the first half, as the second period was far the more lively.  First, Rowe weaved his way through and poked straight at Budtz, before Davis found the ball in acres of space before firing one well wide once again.  Then followed a similar effort from Simon Russell for Trinity, but his effort was much like the previous one from Davis.

Richie Allen and Josh Langley went close with good attempts to add a second, before great combination play between Jamie Allen and Mike Barnes saw the former race into the box but his cross was well held by Budtz.

The turning point in the game was probably when Darryn Stamp came on after 68 minutes, and he was immediately a menace in the Coasters penalty area, hitting the ball on the bounce but it didn’t reach goal.  Danny Rowe went off with what looked like a head injury and the impressive Danny Lloyd came on in his place.

It took just four minutes for Lloyd to make an impact, as his mazy run into the box drew a foul from Trinity Captain Dominic Roma and Lloyd went down.  Penalty to Fylde.  Budtz was booked for protesting for Trinity, and Richie Allen converted from 12 yards to make it 2-0 to The Coasters.

Soon after, Trinity had a penalty appeal turned down which looked like it could have been given, and then Stamp made his mark on the game by heading in from a corner in the 87th minute.  Trinity were back in the game with just five minutes remaining.

Tomsett went down in the box for Fylde, which again looked like a penalty, but it wasn’t given, and then Mike Barnes’ attempt was well saved by Budtz.  Sub Higginson rattled the crossbar late on for Gainsborough, but the Coasters held on to record yet another league victory, a ninth in a row which now stretches back to late August.

Fylde assistant manager Colin Woodthorpe said after the game: “For all the work that we put into the game, we’re delighted to come away with three points because the game was extremely tough.  We were unlucky not to score more, but they could have had another couple so we’ll take the three points and move onto the F.A. Cup again next week against Kings Lynn.”

AFC Fylde: Hinchlffe, Denson, Sumner, Langley, Hannigan, B. Barnes ©, J. Allen, C. Hughes, Rowe (74), Barnes, R. Allen (85); Subs: Potts, Tomsett (85), Booth, Lloyd (74), Blinkhorn.
Goals: Rowe 33, Allen 79.

Gainsborough Trinity: Budtz, Roma ©, Davie, Binns (80), Quinn, Picton, Russell, Toner, Beesley (68), Bateson, Davis (89); Subs: Higginson (89), Salt, Roberts (80), Martin, Stamp (68).
Goal: Stamp 87.
Yellow Card: Budtz 78.

Man of the Match: Tom Hannigan
Match Rating: 2/5
Attendance: 436