AFC Fylde lost to an Altrincham team who made it five wins from their last six matches.

AFC Fylde slipped to their first home defeat of the National League season when losing to Altrincham at Mill Farm on Saturday, writes WILL JONES.

Craig Mahon made two changes from the starting XI that produced a defiant display at Harrogate Town in midweek, with Tom Whelan and Adam Lewis replacing Harvey Broad and Theo Upton.

It was the visitors who took the lead after 15 minutes through Kane Hemmings, who swept home a low cross from the right.

That began five minutes of madness as Tom Whelan equalised two minutes later, scoring his second goal of the week.

He collected Ethan Mitchell’s through ball and did incredibly well to progress through the defence before firing beyond Andy Firth and into the far corner.

The scoreline didn’t remain level for very long as the Robins restored their lead on 20 minutes via Matthew Kosylo.

His somewhat speculative effort from range crept past Zac Jones at his near post, as the ball took a nick off the woodwork on its way in.

Jimmy Knowles had two chances in quick succession to extend the lead, Jones holding the first and the second flying beyond the upright.

Tom Whelan almost doubled his account just before the interval, firing just wide of Firth’s framework.

Fylde’s Aaron Drewe made two goalline clearances early in the second half before Millar Matthews-Lewis came close to a leveller moments later, but was unable to connect with Lewis’ ball in.

Having made three changes just after the hour, Fylde boss Craig Mahon saw Lewis line up an effort from distance which Firth held well.

The head coach brought on two more substitutes going into the last 10 minutes but the changes were to no avail.

Instead, with just a few minutes to play, the Coasters were fortunate not to fall further behind.

Jones made a brilliant stop to prevent substitute Lucas Weaver from adding a third for the visitors and putting the game beyond all doubt.

Four further minutes were added at the end of regulation time, within which Fylde plugged away to try and find that evasive leveller but were unable to do so.

AFC Fylde: Jones, Drewe, Lancaster, C Whelan (Taylor 64), Lewis, Merrie (Butterfield 64), Thomas (Broad 81), T Whelan, Mitchell (Upton 81), Olley (Mayor 64), Matthews-Lewis. Subs not used: Boyes, Morris.