AFC Fylde suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat at home against in-form Alfreton Town.

Dan Bradley scrambled home the only goal of the game on 40 minutes against the run of play after goalkeeper Matt Urwin had spilled Sam Jones’ long range effort. 

Coasters midfielder Sam Finley twice hit the crossbar in the first half, but Dave Challinor’s side couldn’t find a way through the Reds’ defence. 

Manager Challinor made one change to the team that travelled to Stalybridge Celtic last weekend with Matty Hughes replacing Brad Barnes, who missed out through illness.

There was very little in the terms of chances in the opening 10 minutes, as both sides struggled to retain possession and create anything meaningful. Alfreton winger Lindon Meikle had the first shot of the match but his effort was high wide and never threatened Urwin’s goal.

Fylde almost found themselves in on goal as Finley robbed Todd Jordan in a dangerous area and the ball almost fell for Danny Rowe but Reds stopper Matt Duke swept up the danger.

Just moments later and the lively Finley was involved again. The midfielder launched a blockbuster from just outside the area and his dipping effort crashed back off the bar and behind to safety.

On the half hour mark Alfreton forced the first corner of the game and almost made it count. The ball was flicked on to Meikle who looked like tapping in but that man Finley was on hand to block on the line.

Fylde suddenly burst into life and Rowe did brilliantly to turn and feed Dion Charles in down the right. The winger drilled a low powerful strike at goal, but Duke was equal to it, saving with his legs.

As the game approached the break Finley once again rattled the woodwork with a bullet header from a Danny Lloyd corner.

However, Fylde were made to pay for their missed chances and the visitors went straight up the other end and took the lead. Sam Jones’ shot from distance was spilled by Urwin and the grateful Bradley tucked home the rebound.

On the stroke of half time Charles hit a fine effort from distance as Fylde looked for the immediate response, but unfortunately for the Coasters it sailed just over the bar.

The second half began much like the first, neither side creating much in front of goal until Jones fired well wide for the visitors.

On the hour mark Danny Rowe whistled an effort just wide of the post with what was the Coasters first meaningful effort of the half. Defender Josh Langley was next to chance his arm but his firm header drifted wide of the post.

Some last ditched defending from Tom Hannigan prevented Alfreton from doubling the lead, the Fylde defender sliding in to deny Meikle netting what looked like a certain goal in the six-yard box.

The Coasters almost drew level with five minutes to go when the visitors failed to clear a corner and the ball made its way to Langley at the back post, but again Duke did brilliantly to get a strong hand to the shot and his defence managed to scramble clear.

Langley went agonisingly close again with seconds to go from Richie Baker’s corner, but Duke wasn’t to be beaten and tipped his header over the bar.

AFC Fylde: Urwin, Sumner, Crainey (62), Langley, Hannigan (c), Baker, Charles, Finley, Rowe, M.Hughes, Lloyd (76)

Subs: Blinkhorn (62), Hinchliffe, Hardy (76), Collins, Mullen

Bookings: Finley (65) Lloyd (71)

Alfreton Town: Duke, Moyo, Jordan, Allan, Heaton, Doylde-Charles, Robertson, Meikle, Jones, Thanoj, Bradley

Subs: Leesley, Nyoni, Smith

Bookings: Doyle-Charles (77) Allan (79)

Referee: Mr Gareth Mellor

Attendance: 562

MOTM: Sam Finley