AFc Fylde 2, South Shields 4: Coasters slip to second after loss to title rivals

Goals from Jon Ustabasi and Luca Thomas weren't enough to see off the North East outfit, who return to the top of the National League North with Craig Mahon's side now sitting second in the standings.

Fylde started the game brilliantly, pressing the Shield's defence, and it didn't take long for the work to pay off as Mahon's side won possession high up the field and Danny Ormerod picked out Ustabasi, who slid the ball into the far corner to open the scoring.

The Coasters pushed to further their advantage, and Luca Thomas looked to have the second after a brilliant turn from Ustabasi, but the winger's effort slashed over the bar.

Shields then began to grab a foothold of the game, and after a lucky ricochet, the ball fell to Cedwyn Scott, who slotted past Zac Jones to pull the visitors level.

Seconds before the half-time whistle, the visitors then flipped the game on its head, with Scott grabbing his brace from close range to send the Mariners ahead as we headed into the interval.

Fylde came flying out of the blocks in the second period as after a mistake at the back from Shields, Luca Thomas slipped the ball under the goalkeeper to draw Fylde back level before the 50-minute mark.

But it was South Shields who replied the stronger to going back level, and they soon restored their lead as Oli Bainbridge, who picked up the second ball in the Fylde area to curl it into the far corner.

Craig Mahon threw everything out there to salvage a point, with the likes of Danny Mayor, Ryan Colclough and Charlie Jolley all introduced, but it was Shields who added a fourth late on as Caden Kelly slotted past Jones to seal the three points for the Mariners.

Fylde had their chances throughout the contest, hitting the woodwork in either half, but couldn't quite find their usual goalscoring form.

A brilliant advert for the National League North, but a frustrating evening for Craig Mahon's side, who will look to pick themselves up and go again this weekend as we make the trip to Alfreton Town.