AFC Fylde sealed their place in the National League North play-offs despite a disappointing 3-1 defeat at Tamworth.

Kaid Mohamed’s first-half strike was cancelled out by a Danny Rowe penalty, however two goals in as many minutes from the hosts sealed Fylde’s fate.

Dave Challinor made just one change to the side that beat Bradford Park Avenue last time out with midfielder Brad Branes returning to the starting line-up in place of Sam Finley.

The hosts gave Fylde an early scare when Ross Dyer raced down the left and delivered an inviting ball across goal that Ben Hinchliffe claimed at the second attempt after a nervy scramble.

Fylde’s first chance came after just five minutes when Bohan Dixon galloped through the Tamworth defence before seeing his strike thwarted by the legs of goalkeeper James Belshaw at the near post.

The Coasters were forced into an early change when defender Josh Langley limped off after just 12 minutes to be replaced by Dom Collins.

Set pieces weren’t proving the visitors’ strong point in the early stages as Danny Lloyd skewed a free-kick horribly wide and a corner straight out of play.

Tamworth took the lead after 22 minutes and it was too easy for the hosts, Mohamed cutting in from the right and firing left-footed past Hinchliffe from 12 yards.

Striker Danny Newton almost broke through for the home side when he bundled his way past Tom Hannigan but Hinchliffe was quick to react and smothered the loose ball. Tomassen’s flicked header almost caused problems in the Fylde box but eventually it drifted harmlessly out of play.

Fylde nearly found a way back in to the game when the ball broke kindly for Caspar Hughes eight yards out but he was both offside and off target.

Richie Baker was next to try his luck five minutes before the break when he latched on to Rowe knockdown however his improvised effort with the outside of his boot was well wide.

Tamworth should have doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time when Ellis Deeney made a fool of Hughes and Dixon on the left before squaring for Mohamed who fired straight at Hinchliffe from close range.

The hosts started the second half the way they finished the first as Mohamed forced Hinchliffe into a decent save before Deeney scuffed the follow up wide of the far post.

The opening stages of the second period provided very little in the way of goalscoring opportunities with neither goalkeeper really tested. Fylde looked solid enough at the back but lacked that cutting edge to find a leveller.

However, the visitors were presented with a glorious opportunity to do just that on 69 minutes when Lee Smith tripped Lloyd in the area and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. Up stepped top scorer Rowe who duly dispatched the penalty to bring the scores level.

Less than six minutes later and Tamworth were back ahead. The dangerous Danny Newton raced clear of the Fylde defence and smashed a shot across goal that nestled into the bottom corner. Moments later and Mohamed would have had his second if not for a top save from Hinchliffe.

The home side really started to take control and a minute later they had a third, Connor Taylor tapping home unmarked from Curtis Strong’s right wing cross.

Substitute Matty Hughes attempted to breathe some life into the contest when he found space on the edge of the area and hit a rasping strike that was tipped over by Belshaw.

Fylde were forced to finish the game with 10 men when early substitute Collins limped off to add to Challinor’s defensive woes.

Newton really should have put the game to bed in added time when Hannigan misjudged his header, but again Hinchliffe was on hand to turn his shot over the bar.

 

Tamworth: Belshaw, Burns, Dyer, Deeney, Tomassen, Carter, Mohamed (89), Smith, Newton, Taylor, Strong.

Subs: Davies (89), Ezewele, Pace, Morrell, Gill.

AFC Fylde: Hinchliffe, C. Hughes, Hannigan, Langley (12), Crainey (74), Barnes, Baker, Dixon (74), Charles, Lloyd, Rowe.

Subs: Urwin, Collins (12), Hardy (74), M. Hughes (74), Blinkhorn.

Att: 683

Ref: W Smallwood