Winger Matty Hughes has called for calm as AFC Fylde look to get their promotion push back on track this weekend against Alfreton Town.

The Coasters currently sit in fourth place in the National League North, ten points behind leaders Solihull Moors, after their match at Stalybridge Celtic was abandoned just 12 minutes in at the weekend.

Dave Challinor’s side still have a game in hand on their title rivals but Hughes insists that they must start picking up points. 

“This season has been a bit up and down for us,” admitted the former Fleetwood Town man. “We went on a very good run towards the beginning of the season, but it has started to tail off recently.

“We still have one or two games in hand on all the teams around us so we aren’t in a bad position just yet. We just need to kick on and get back to how we were playing earlier in the campaign.

“We have to try and not get frustrated as a group. We are all striving for success and we all want the same thing at the end of the day. When games and results don’t go to plan we can get frustrated with each other.

“I’m a very passionate player and I always want to win and that’s the mentality that we all have. We are all disappointed when we get beat and things may get said in the heat of the moment but we are a very close-knit squad and we want the best for each other. 

“I couldn’t say exactly why things haven’t been going right recently. We have been training really well and prepared for games as we always have but it just hasn’t happened on the day.

“Everyone knows that we like to get the ball down and play football and the pitches this winter haven’t helped us do that. It’s a bad excuse but it’s definitely one of the reasons for our stuttering form.”

Hughes was the hero in the reverse fixture against Saturday’s opponents Alfreton, netting a late winner in a 2-1 victory at the Impact Arena back in December.

“It was a really good game first time around on a very good playing surface which suited us down to the ground. So to pop up with the winner at the end was great and fingers crossed we get a repeat performance at the weekend. Hopefully the weather holds off and the pitch is fine.

“Personally I think I’ve done okay this season but I’ve had a couple of injuries and that isn’t like me at all. I just want to keep myself fit and healthy now and help the team out as best I can.

“I’m aiming to add a few more goals this season but for me it’s all about points now. It’s great to chip in with goals but it doesn’t mean anything if you don’t get the points. We have quite a few tough games coming up now but we know what we have to do – we have to win and it’s as simple as that.”