AFC Fylde picked up all three points on the road, with a Danny Philliskirk header clinching victory over Chester FC at the Deva Stadium.

In a game that saw three red cards after Pierce Bird, Adam Thomas and Joe Lynch all received their marching orders, Fylde managed to nick a win thanks to Philliskirk.

A short corner was played to Nick Haughton and crossed to the back post for Philliskirk to head in and guarantee the points ahead of Monday’s clash with Southport FC.

James Rowe made five changes to the side that was defeated at home to Scarborough Athletic, with Curtis Weston, Pierce Bird, Connor Barrett, Keenan Patten & Brad Holmes replacing Harry Davis, Luke Conlan, Danny Whitehead, Joe Rowley & Sam Osborne.

After a quiet opening five minutes or so, the first opportunity of the game came the way of the home side when Declan Weeks managed to work some space 12 yards out but curl over the bar.

When Jordan Cranston had an opportunity to float a corner to Kyle Morrison at the back post, the defender met and managed to head back across goal into the path of Nick Haughton, whose header was cleared off the line.

There wasn’t much to write home about until the 33^rd minute arrived when Adam Thomas managed to stand a cross up to the back post where Kole Hall rose to head at goal, though Chris Neal managed to gather calmly under pressure.

Chester had the final chance of the game when Kurt Willoughby lined a free-kick up from 35 yards and dipped it towards the bottom corner, which Neal did well to parry away.

However, the talking point of the half was both sides being reduced to ten men. Bird looked to have put in a good, fair challenge but was then greeted by an angry Thomas, with both going head-to-head and eventually earning themselves a red card.

Half-Time: Chester FC 0-0 AFC Fylde    

The red card certainly sparked the game into life, and despite Declan Weeks’ well-struck effort testing Neal in the Coasters’ goal, the game saw its third red of the game.

As Jordan Cranston ventured forward and looked certain to work his way closer to goal, Joe Lynch deliberately kicked out at the Fylde left-back and lifted his head to see the referee’s red card up in the air and pointed in his direction.

James Rowe’s men started to find space as Chester sat in, and that brought a shooting opportunity for Haughton, whose curling effort was met equally by Harry Tyrer diving to his left.

Tyrer was at it again after Cranston’s superb cross from the right was met and guided towards the far corner of the net, only to be kept out by a fingertip Tyrer save.

The pressure eventually told when a short corner by Joe Rowley was played to Haughton, who drifted inside the area and stood a cross up to the back post where Danny Philliskirk was waiting to nod in from close range.

Chester offered very little once the Coasters had taken the lead other than a few half chances, leaving Rowe’s Fylde picking up all three points ahead of Bank Holiday Monday.

Full-Time: Chester FC 0-1 AFC Fylde    

Chester FC: Tyrer, Coulton, Weeks (56’ Burke), Kenyon, Willoughby (59’ Stephenson), Thomas, Devine, Coates, Lynch, Hall (69’ Heywood), Edwards.

Unused subs: Morgan, Murray.

AFC Fylde: Neal, Morrison, Whitmore, Bird, Cranston, Barrett (66’ Rowe), Philliskirk, Weston, Patten (46’ Osborne), Haughton, Holmes (46’ Rowley).

Unused Subs: Obi, Walker.