AFC Fylde 2, Scarborough Athletic 1: Ormerod at the double as Fylde edge past Boro
AFC Fylde secured an important three points with a 2-1 win over Scarborough Athletic.
A seventh double of the season from Danny Ormerod, who made it 22 goals for the campaign, means Fylde have just one defeat in their last 10 games.
Fylde dominated large parts of the opening 45 with the Scarborough defence being tested throughout the first half.
The home side had appeals for a penalty turned down inside ten minutes as Ethan Mitchell appeared to be dragged back.
Soon after, a similar foul was given in Fylde's favour as Mitchell looked to play Luca Thomas through on goal, with the forward dragged back on the edge of the area. However, the resulting free kick was blazed over by Ormerod.
Shortly before the half-time whistle, Fylde had a huge opportunity to take the lead. After a brilliant pass from Max Taylor played Ormerod in behind the Scarborough defence, the forward drilled the ball across the face for Mitchell to tap home, but he was denied by a point-blank save from Whitley to keep the scores level.
Fylde came flying out of the blocks in the second half and went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock inside a minute. After a wonderful move down the right, Mitchell looked to square the ball for Ormerod, who would've had a tap-in, but the pass was just a yard in front of the forward, who couldn't reach the ball at full stretch.
But with 25 minutes to go, Fylde finally had their breakthrough. Ormerod picked up the loose ball and drove into the area before smashing an effort which was too powerful for Whitley as it fell into the back of the net for the opener.
As Fylde pushed for a second, the visitors had their first real effort on goal and struck gold as Lewis Maloney whipped a set piece past Zac Jones to equalise with 20 minutes remaining.
But with four minutes of normal time remaining, Ormerod headed past Whitley from a corner to put Fylde back in front.
Ormerod almost had his first hat-trick of the year as he smashed an effort against the woodwork late on, but Fylde continued to hold strong and held out for an important three points.