The Coasters fell to a 1-0 defeat on the road in the National League North against Darlington FC at Blackwell Meadows.

An early goal from Luke Charman saw the hosts take the lead after 34 minutes with a strong strike into the top corner.

Jim Bentley named the same side that secured a 4-1 victory over Blyth Spartans, with David Perkins returning from injury on the bench, replacing Jack Byrne.

The Coasters made a bright start to proceedings, especially through winger Sam Osborne, who made a few bursting runs down the right flank, but it was the hosts who had the first real chance of the game.

A corner for the Quakers was whipped into the area by Jarrett Rivers, and he found Charman on the penalty spot, who fiercely volleyed first time towards goal and wide of the post.  

After a good 20 minutes or so with very little action, the hosts took the lead when Charman this time took his chance. He received the ball on the edge of the area, turned and fired into the top corner.

Half-time: Darlington FC 1-0 AFC Fylde

Looking for a way back into the game and an equaliser, Ben Tollitt flicked a clever pass around Jake Cooper to set Nick Haughton free down the left. He drilled an effort across the face of goal where Jack Sampson couldn’t quite get a toe on the ball to turn it in.

The Coasters were pushing forward, this time through Kieran Lloyd, who crossed towards Sampson waiting at the back post. His strike at goal fell to Tollitt in the 18-yard box, though he fired over from close range.

Haughton was next to have a go at goal when he hit a well-driven strike towards the bottom corner, but Tommy Taylor got down well to save.

A late chance came for Sampson after Luke Conlan found him at the back post. He did everything right by hitting a left-footed strike towards the bottom right corner, but Taylor made a great save to deny him.

Full-Time: Darlington FC 1-0 AFC Fylde

Darlington: Taylor, Wheatley (77’ Smith), Hedley, Hatfield, ©, Charman, Rivers (90’ Mondal), Ellis, Lambert (90’ Dos Santos), Lawlor, Purver, Cooper.

Unused subs: Storey, Nelson.

AFC Fylde: Jones, Lloyd, Obi, Stott, Conlan, Joyce ©, Nolan (56’ Perkins), Osborne (56’ Hulme), Haughton, Tollitt (78’ Walker), Sampson.

Unused subs: Neal, Robinson.