Oxford City 1 AFC Fylde 0: Rare defeat on the road for Coasters
The Coasters suffered just a third away defeat of the season, losing 1-0 away at Oxford City on Saturday.
A strike from Ewan Clark on the hour mark was the difference as Fylde failed to score for just the second time this season.
The Coasters got off to a quick start at the MGroup Stadium and almost forced an opener as Luca Thomas received the ball from Chris Merrie on the edge of the area, before curling an effort which was well-tipped around the post by Jonny Maxted.
But for the opening 45, that was about as good as it got for Fylde, who struggled to get to grips with the contest in Oxfordshire for large parts of the first half.
The home side had plenty of possession but failed to really test Zac Jones in a non-event opening 45 minutes.
DJ Sturridge did have half a chance before Max Taylor stopped him in his tracks on the edge of the Fylde area, before Jones was forced into a first stop of the afternoon in the third minute of added time, turning Sturridge's effort around his near post.
As the second half got under way, Fylde made a change with Jon Ustabasi replacing George Wilson.
It was a much quicker start from Fylde with two chances in the opening two minutes of the half as Luca Thomas drilled an effort just wide of the far post before Merrie's curling effort was palmed away.
But against the run of play, Oxford found the opener on the hour as Fylde gave the ball away in their own half, and Clark slotted past Jones to break the deadlock.
With Fylde now pushing for an equaliser, time quickly began to run out for Craig Mahon’s side.
Luke Hunter was introduced as another body at the top end of the pitch as Fylde looked to force the issue.
Danny Mayor looked to threaten the Oxford goal with a curling effort which was palmed away by Maxted, before Tom Whelan blazed over from the edge of the area.
The Coasters created one last chance in the last of six additional minutes with an in swinging corner. But even with keeper Jones as an added body in the box, Maxted caught well as Oxford claimed a deserved three points.
Next up for Fylde it’s a big clash at the top of the National League North with Mahon’s side making the trip to South Shields on Tuesday night.