AFC Fylde return home after dropping points on the road

Having surrendered top spot with last Tuesday’s 2-1 loss against South Shields, the Coasters dropped more points after Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Leamington.

Danny Ormerod had put Fylde ahead with his 31st goal of the season, only for Frank Tattum to level in second-half stoppage time.

The Coasters’ players felt it should have been ruled out for handball, but referee Neil Pratt – who had sent off Fylde’s Corey Whelan in the first half for bringing down Max Brogan – allowed the goal to stand.

That result, combined with South Shields’ win against Curzon Ashton, left Mahon’s players four points behind the leaders with 11 matches left to play.

Fylde are back on home soil tonight, when they welcome sixth-placed AFC Telford United to Mill Farm (7.45pm).

Speaking after Saturday’s draw, Mahon told Fylde’s media team: “I’m gutted for the lads.

“Football’s horrible. It can be the most joyous one occasion and it can be gut-wrenching the next: unfortunately, today, we were on the wrong side of it.

“With Corey getting sent off, he’s apologised to the lads first and foremost in the dressing room.

“He knows we needed him as a player and as a character on the pitch, but I was so proud of the lads and what they tried to do for us.

“They all tried to back their captain and give everything they could for him – and until the last few seconds of the game, they had done everything.

“I’m not making excuses because I’m not one to make excuses but some of the decisions today I just feel are questionable, whether it’s bookings, throw-ins, corners.

“The last bit of the game, every one of our lads are saying it’s (the equaliser) a handball.

“When eight lads are running at the referee, saying he’s handballed it – and they’re all saying he’s handballed it – and he’s standing in front of it, I don’t know what more we can do.

“We can’t rest on that. We can’t blame the referee, we’ve just got to move on now and try to get back on the winning streak.”