Gateshead 0 AFC Fylde 1: Back-to-back league wins for the Coasters

AFC Fylde were victorious again on Saturday Picture: Steve McLellan

In a game that looked destined to be a goalless draw, Haughton provided the matchwinning moment with 20 minutes remaining.

It was the Coasters who started the better of the two sides.

Jordan Hulme was denied by James Montgomery before Haughton’s cross was inches away from Hulme and Ben Tollitt inside the six-yard box.

Gateshead then had a chance of their own as Greg Olley found himself in on goal but his effort went just over Chris Neal’s bar.

Dan Ward then went close for the hosts as his shot deflected off a Fylde shirt and into the arms of Neal, who gathered with ease.

Just five minutes before the break, Hulme was inches away from putting the Coasters in front.

He did well to work space for himself on the edge of the area before unleashing a venomous shot that cannoned off the post and back into play as the first half ended goalless.

After the break, Luke Burke had a chance to put the Coasters ahead as he shot just past Montgomery’s post.

Jim Bentley’s side continued to look for the opening goal and Haughton was next to have a go.

A short free-kick found its way to Haughton, who drifted in from the right and hit a left-footed shot wide of the target.

Nathan Shaw’s introduction almost paid off as his effort went just wide before Kallum Griffiths stung Neal’s palms.

The breakthrough came when Tollitt found himself out wide before setting the ball back to Haughton.

He took one touch and hit a superb strike into the top corner to open the scoring.

The hosts looked for an equaliser as Macauley Longstaff volleyed just wide.

In the dying embers of the game, the hosts had another effort at goal but the superb Alex Whitmore was there to throw his body in the way and head clear.

Gateshead: Montgomery, Nicholson, Smith, Hunter, Olley, Griffiths, Ward (Longstaff 75), Cooper, Deverdics, Greenfield (O’Donnell 75), Preston. Unused subs: Male, Dale, Cranston.

AFC Fylde: Neal, Burke, Conlan, Pond, Whitmore, Tollitt, Philliskirk, Hulme (Nolan 84), Haughton (Willoughby 80), Mondal (Shaw 61), Perkins. Unused subs: Johnson, Burgess.