AFC Fylde’s head coach had no doubts the foundations of a good squad were in place at Mill Farm.

Craig Mahon says AFC Fylde always had the basis of a team that could thrive – and not just survive – after regaining their place in non-league’s top flight.

The Coasters stand fourth in the National League after a third of the season as they prepare for Saturday’s visit to Eastleigh.

Asked if Fylde had done anything differently after winning promotion, Mahon told the Gazette: “We haven’t really changed anything.

“We continue to play football our way and put our stamp on what we are as a football club.

“The size of the clubs we’re coming up against and the standard of players is a lot higher, so the staff and myself had to adapt and improve.

“We (Mahon and his staff) call ourselves ‘spoofers’ because we bluff our way through!

“We knew the nucleus of the group was very strong. We just want to improve and develop what’s around us.”

Fourteen new players have arrived at Mill Farm, permanently or on loan, since they lifted the National League North title last season.

The 13th of those is goalkeeper George Pickford, brought in on loan from Everton because of Zac Jones’ shoulder injury.

“George has settled in brilliantly and is developing all the time,” Mahon added.

“When you come from a club like Everton, you’ve got that proven ability and that standard.

“We aren’t fully sure when Zac will be able to return, that’s why it was a month’s loan, but we will try to extend it if need be.”

Fylde will seek a fourth straight victory in Hampshire on Saturday, having conceded the first goal in each of their last three games but going on to score 10 in total.

Saturday’s 4-1 victory at fellow National League high-flyers Harrogate Town earned Fylde a place in the second round of the FA Cup, in which they will host League One’s fourth-placed side Luton Town.

Mahon said of their latest victory: “I thought, man for man, we were outstanding.

“We’re so proud of this group to come here and play like that.

“I don’t want to single out players because today was all about the group and they got everything spot on.”

The next round is scheduled for the weekend of December 5/6.

Fylde have never beaten an EFL club in a competitive match but Mahon won’t have to travel far to run the rule over Luton.

The Hatters will play a league game at Blackpool on the Tuesday before their visit to Mill Farm.

It was a similar story in the first round, when Seasiders head coach Ian Evatt was able to watch Hornchurch in league action at Fylde a week before facing them in the FA Cup.