AFC Fylde manager Dave Challinor believes sluggish starts to both halves were his side’s undoing in the 3-0 defeat at North Ferriby United.

The Coasters found themselves a goal down inside the opening two minutes and the host’s advantage was doubled shortly after the break leaving Challinor’s side with an uphill task.

Challinor’s said: “It wasn’t a great afternoon for us. We lost Tom Hannigan and Josh Langley during the week to injury and that wasn’t an ideal start.

“We had to bring in Brad Roscoe at the last minute and throw him in to what was a very difficult game.

“We got off to the worst possible start, conceding so early in the game. We had spoken before the game about their threat from set pieces so that was disappointing. We were on the back foot right from the off.

“After a slow start I thought we dominated the first half and had some decent chances but we didn’t take them. After half time we made it clear that we had to get going quickly and again we didn’t do that and found ourselves two goals down.

“We didn’t heed warning signs or track runners and we just didn’t defend well enough. Although we huffed and puffed, things just didn’t go for us.

“The season is based over 42 league games so we can’t let one result like this affect us too much.

“We are on a difficult run and we have a chance to put things right against Harrogate Town tomorrow night.”