Kidderminster Harriers 1 AFC Fylde 0: A Devine goal inflicts defeat upon Fylde
AFC Fylde lost top spot in National League North after they fell to a 1-0 defeat at Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday.
An early first-half strike proved the difference as the Coasters failed to score for the first time in 2025/26.
Kidderminster took just five minutes to break the deadlock as Reece Devine slammed an effort past Zac Jones to open the scoring.
Fylde then looked to grab an equaliser as Danny Ormerod cut in from the left-hand side and curled an effort which cannoned off the post before Alex Healy-Byrne sent an attempt over the bar.
The hosts then pushed for a second and thought they had it when the ball fell to former Coasters forward Ashley Hemmings, who blazed the ball over the bar.
Tom Whelan drew a free-kick in a dangerous position towards the end of the half, but Luca Thomas’ effort was blocked by the wall as Fylde went in behind at the interval.
Craig Mahon’s players grew into the second 45 minutes and changed shape just after the hour mark with the introductions of Will Lancaster and Liam Brockbank.
Chris Merrie must have thought he’d found the equaliser after Whelan’s free-kick fell to the midfielder on the edge of the area, only for his effort to be well charged down.
Ormerod was forced off with a little more than 10 minutes to play, with George Wilson introduced for Fylde, who saw Jones keep their deficit at one goal.
The keeper made a superb fingertip save from Ryley Reynolds’ curling effort as the home side looked to seal it with a second.
Although nine minutes were added as Fylde looked for a crucial equaliser, it wasn’t to be for Mahon’s players whose record-breaking away run of away league wins ended at nine.
Next up for the Coasters is a Boxing Day clash against Chorley at Mill Farm as they seek a return to winning ways.
Kidderminster Harriers: Dibble, Devine (Walker 65), Obi, Morgan-Smith, Foulkes, Evans, Kalambayi, Davis, Cooper, Reynolds, Hemmings (Spokes 87). Subs not used: Palmer, Kandola, Tunnicliffe, Spokes, Walker, Willoughby, Minaker.
AFC Fylde: Jones, McFayden (Lancaster 67), Mitchell, Taylor, Merrie, Thomas, Healy-Byrne, C Whelan, Hunter (Brockbank 67), T Whelan, Ormerod (Wilson 78). Subs not used: Boyes, Coates, O’Kane, McKay.