AFC Fylde fell to a 3-0 defeat at Mill Farm against Blyth Spartans on a wet Tuesday night in the National League.

A miserable night, consisting of wind and rain, turned out to be a miserable night for the Coasters as they slipped to their first defeat in nine games.

Despite enjoying most of the possession and creating numerous chances, the visitors grabbed goals through Cedric Main, Jordan Hickey & Troy Chiabi, leaving the Coasters still in top spot with seven games remaining.

Adam Murray made two changes to the side that grabbed a 2-0 victory over Gloucester City, with Dan Pike & Dan Malone replacing Connor Barrett & Danny Whitehead.

The Coasters made a bright start to proceedings through Dan Pike after he burst forward on the overlap to whip a teasing ball across the face of goal, but Blyth managed to clear before it reached the boot of Bartosz Cybulski, who was waiting for a tap in.

That was followed by Nick Haughton jinxing his way through several purple shirts, who attempted to get a foot in, but as he clipped a ball to the far corner of the net, Alex Mitchell watched it travel wide of the post.

Although the better of the chances came for the Coasters in the opening stages, Blyth took the lead after Troy Chiabi nicked a loose ball in the Fylde half and picked out Cedric Main at the back post for him to turn in from six yards.

Fylde were trying to build something after the early blow, and that allowed Haughton to turn following a nice passage of play but find the gloves of Mitchell.

Despite Blyth finding the opener, Murray’s men were pushing for an equaliser, and they should have had it. Haughton’s deflected shot at goal fell to the feet of Joe Rowley, who turned and lifted over the bar.

There was still enough time left in the half for the Coasters to try and score through Danny Philliskirk when after more good football from the Coasters, he aimed towards the bottom corner of the net, but Mitchell saved and clutched into his chest.

Half-Time: AFC Fylde 0-1 Blyth Spartans    

Fylde were the stronger of the two sides after the restart, and Haughton looked the most likely source for a goal. After Cybulski was fouled on the edge of the area, the midfielder stepped up, smacked the wall and sent the ball inches over the bar on the rebound.

Luke Conlan nearly did find the equaliser when he was spotted in acres of space by Pike to set himself and curl one towards the top corner, sending the ball just wide of the post.

A golden chance then fell the way of substitute Luke Charman after Rowley did superbly to bring down a clipped ball on the half turn and work his way to the by-line to pick out the number nine, but he could only strike over.

However, as the Coasters started to push for a reply, Spartans were finding more and more space, and that led to their second goal of the night when Chiabi’s deflected effort worked its way to Hickey free at the back post for him to smash home.

To make matters worse for Murray’s side, Haughton was sent tumbling down in the box after what seemed to be a push in the back, but referee Jonathan Maskrey brandished a second yellow card and then red Nick’s way.

The away side wasn’t done there. As the Coasters committed bodies on the attack, Chiabi raced forward on the counter and managed to squeeze a shot past Neal and into the bottom corner, making sure of the three points.

Full-Time: AFC Fylde 0-3 Blyth Spartans

AFC Fylde: Neal Obi, Davis, Bird (55’ Charman), Pike (63’ Barrett), Conlan, Philliskirk, Malone (71’ Delfouneso), Haughton, Rowley, Cybulski.

Unused subs: Whitmore, Hatfield.

Blyth Spartans: Mitchell, Lees, Richardson (62’ Spellman), Hickey, O’Donnell, McGowan, Elsdon (62’ Evans), Deverdics, Main (75’ Round), Chiabi, Cousin-Dawson

Unused Subs: Dopson.