Leamington 1 AFC Fylde 1: Philliskirk strike not enough as 10 men pull level at the death

A Danny Philliskirk header looked to have clinched all three points for Fylde, who dominated at The Community Stadium only for a resilient Leamington outfit to equalise at the death.

It was a harsh lesson about spurning opportunities for the Coasters, who couldn't add a vital second goal facing 10 men for the final half-hour.

Fylde boss Jim Bentley had temporarily handed the reins to his assistant Nick Chadwick ahead of this National League North test against an in-form Leamington.

The hosts came into the game on the back of two eye-catching victories, the latest away to a Curzon Ashton side who had ended the Coasters' unbeaten start to the league season last time out .

Chadwick made three changes to the squad defeated 2-0 at Curzon a week earlier as Liam Nolan returned from his injury lay-off to replace the suspended David Perkins, while Jordan Hulme took Kurt Willoughby’s spot up front and Jack Sanders replaced Reagan Ogle on the bench.

The Coasters started the game with energy and purpose, carving out two good chances inside the opening five minutes.

The first fell to Blackpool loanee Nathan Shaw, who jinked his way past a defender before drilling a low shot at the keeper from 20 yards out.

Nick Haughton was the next to test Jake Weaver in goal, his effort after a weaving run well blocked by Leamington’s number one.

On 10 minutes, Alex Whitmore nearly opened his account for the season. Haughton drilled a corner towards the penalty spot and Whitmore rose highest to direct the ball goalward but the impressive Weaver again saved his side.

The Coasters’ dominance didn't let up and Tollitt went close after 15 minutes with a clever chip that almost caught the keeper out.

The hosts recorded their first shot on the 20-minute mark, when winger Danny Waldron pulled the trigger from range but Neal dealt with the effort comfortably.

Fylde immediately responded through Philliskirk, who found space after some neat interplay but his curling effort drifted inches wide.

Skipper Nathan Pond was struck with another injury blow midway through the first-half and replaced by Jordan Lussey, with Liam Nolan in dropping alongside Whitmore in the centre of defence.

The Coasters continued to control the game and 10 minutes before the break Haughton was cynically hauled down 25 yards out. However, Tollitt's free-kick curled agonisingly wide.

But after a goalless first half, Fylde had the ball in the back of the net within two minutes of the restart.

A slick move began with Hulme holding the ball up just outside the box and laying off to the overlapping Conlan on the left wing.

The left-back then fizzed over an inch-perfect cross, which the unmarked Philliskirk headed home with aplomb from three yards.

Haughton nearly extended Fylde’s lead shorty after but the number 10’s long-distance strike flew just over Weaver’s crossbar.

The hosts were reduced to 10 men on the hour mark, when Callum Gittings' late challenge was deemed reckless by referee John Maskrey.

And with an extra player on the pitch, Chadwick’s side gained control of the game.

On 70 minutes, Hulme’s strong hold-up play presented Tollitt with a glorious chance but the wideman somehow missed the far corner with the goal at his mercy.

Lussey's pass then released Hulme, who controlled well but his shot glanced the top of the bar.

The hosts gained some momentum in the closing stages, pumping up long balls in search of an equaliser, which they got in the third minute of injury time.

A searching cross wasn’t dealt with properly, enabling the ball to rebound off the bar before Sam Osborne applied the finishing touch to some pinball in the six-yard box.

It was a sickener for Chadwick and Fylde, who had dominated the entire game but failed to make a mountain of chances count.

The dropped points mean Fylde slip a place to third, behind Kidderminster on goal difference.

The consolation for the Coasters was that leaders Gloucester City lost for the first time this season, 1-0 at Gateshead, cutting their advantage to six points from two matches more.

Fylde: Neal, Burke, Conlan, Nolan, Pond (Lussey 26), Whitmore, Tollitt (Brennan 76), Philliskirk, Shaw, Haughton, Shaw; Subs not used: Sanders, Mondal, Willoughby.

Leamington: Weaver, Martin, Morley, Clarke, Morrison, Lane, Osborne, Gittings, Smith (English 84), Edwards (Maye 53), Waldron (Meredith 67); Subs not used: Taylor, Batchelor

Referee: John Maskrey