Nick Haughton relishing regular game time with new club AFC Fylde

The former Fleetwood Town man signed for Fylde’s National League promotion rivals Salford City in January of this year, putting pen to paper on a two-and-a-half year deal.

But he struggled for game time, making just eight appearances this season - most off the bench - before making the move to Mill Farm at the end of October.

He has since been a regular starter for the Coasters, playing seven times, although the midfielder is yet to find the back of the net.

“I’m happy that I’m back playing football regularly,” Haughton said. “I had a difficult time at Salford where I wasn’t playing much.

“I’m glad Challi has brought me in and given me the chance to show what I can do.

“I’m helping the team as much as I can, I just need to get off the mark with a goal. I am trying though!

“At least I’m hitting the target now and it’s not going in the stand, so I’ll take that as a positive and hopefully next time it goes in.”

Despite not scoring, Haughton - an attacking midfielder - has still been having an impact on recent games.

He set up Danny Rowe for his goal in Fylde’s 2-1 win at Hartlepool United last week, before bagging another assist, this time for Gime Toure, in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at home to Sutton United.

Despite taking the lead twice, Dave Challinor’s men were pegged back on both occasions to deny them a third straight win.

But Fylde, who make the long trip to face Dover Athletic on Saturday, are still well placed in the National League, sitting in fifth place.

“I think we played well (against Sutton) but sometimes, when you concede late on in a draw, it feels more like a defeat,” Haughton added.

“That’s what the lads felt like at the end coming into the changing room.

“But we’ll take seven points in a week and we’ll head to Dover on Saturday.

“They’ve obviously been picking up a good couple of results in the last few weeks. But we’ll go there, we’ll show them what we can do and hopefully we can pick up the three points.”