The Coasters slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Nethermoor against a resilient Guiseley side courtesy of a 33rd minute Jake Lawlor far post header.
Guiseley gained a first leg advantage thanks to a that solitary first half goal from Lawlor, but The Coasters can take plenty of positives from the game, especially from the final half an hour where there were numerous chance for Fylde to snatch a goal.
In truth it was a drab match, but The Coasters had three efforts cleared off the line and were unlucky not to come away from Yorkshire with a draw.
Fylde started well with Richie Baker pulling the strings in midfield. A good ball through to Baker, who in turn fed Mike Barnes in a great position but his cross comes back off him after it hit a defender and out for a goal kick.
The first real shot on goal came from a Guiseley free kick. Brooksby fed Johnson and he took the shot early but it went harmlessly wide.
Danny Lloyd was ever impressive down the left as he paced down the left hand side, got a shot away and forced a good save from Drench in the home goal. Danny Rowe followed up with a good header but it went over the bar.
In the 33rd minute, Jake Lawlor gave Guiseley the lead with a header at the far post after good work by Oli Johnson down the left. He stood the ball up for Lawlor to have the simple task of heading in from a yard out.
The Coasters made a better start to the second half as Danny Lloyd was put through by Langley and Lloyd’s shot was tipped over the bar by the impressive Drench. Drench was at it again as this time he stopped Danny Rowe in a golden chance for Fylde before Oli Johnson down the other end hit a fierce shot straight at Hinchliffe.
Brooksby was impressive for Guiseley and he ran through the entire Fylde defence before putting a great ball in to set up Johnson who headed just over. Johnson was a menace throughout down the left hand side.
Danny Rowe hit a thunderous attempt from just outside the area but it went just wide. Fylde really coming back into the game at this point. Richie Baker then picked out Josh Wilson at the far post and Drench produced a magnificent save to keep it out once again.
Fylde’s best chance of the game came in the final minute through substitute Riche Allen. He chested the ball down beautifully and overhead kicked it with force towards goal but another good save by Drench who kept Fylde at bay all game as that’s the way it stayed.
The tie isn’t over for The Coasters who can take plenty of positives from the first leg, with the second match between the two sides coming this Saturday at Kellamergh Park.
Guiseley – Drench, Toulson, Lowe, Holdsworth (C), Hall, Lawlor, Brooksby, Boshell, Boyes, Johnson (76) Rothery
Subs: Dickinson (76) Johnson, Stockdill, Boshell, Dickinson
Yellow: Lawlor (93)
AFC Fylde – Hinchliffe, Denson, Sumner, Langley, Hannigan, B. Barnes (C), Baker (85) Wilson (75), Rowe, Lloyd, M. Barnes(64).
Subs: Booth, Allen (64), Tomsett (85) Blinkhorn(75) Charles
Yellow: B. Barnes (20) + Sumner (95)
ATT: 1025
MOTM: Tom Hannigan
