AFC Fylde manager Dave Challinor is delighted that his side will take an advantage into their play-off semi-final second leg against Harrogate Town.

Danny Rowe’s goal at The CNG Stadium put the Coasters into the driving seat for Sunday’s crucial return leg.

“I’m absolutely thrilled. We knew taking away any kind of win away was important. It was a tight, nervy game, but I thought we played really well.

“We had chances to score a few more than we did, but it is great to go into the home leg with a win behind us.

“Nothing is won yet and we still have a lot of hard work to do, but we are positive going into Sunday’s game.

“It was a tough team selection tonight, but we went with our gut decision and it paid off. We may go the same again on Sunday but we will have to wait and see with that one. Fingers crossed we won’t have any ill effects from the game.

“Harrogate should have scored after 20 seconds and we could have done the same two minutes later and that set the tone for the game. Both goalkeepers produced some great saves, particularly the two their lad made from James Hardy in the first half.

“We knew they would start the game quickly and we had to match that and I thought we did that well. They gave us a couple of scares early on but we grew into the game. After a while we started it think a goal wasn’t coming and then Rowey pops up and does what he does best.

“We are only halfway through the tie and the game is still on a knife edge. We will be positive in the home leg and we go out there to win another game. We won’t be sitting back and we will need to be at our best because Harrogate will have the bit between their teeth.”