The story of Fleetwood Town's season: No joy in January before Town's fortunes turned

Our month by month review of Fleetwood Town's season reaches January: a difficult month before an uplifting upturn.
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Wins elusive in December for Fleetwood

If December had been disappointing for Fleetwood, the New Year brought no change of fortunes as wins continued to prove elusive.

Seven games in January did not produce a victory, though the month saw only League One defeat which would prove to be Town's last of the regular seson.

Lewie Coyle scores his first Fleetwood goal in the draw against Shrewsbury TownLewie Coyle scores his first Fleetwood goal in the draw against Shrewsbury Town
Lewie Coyle scores his first Fleetwood goal in the draw against Shrewsbury Town
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January's five league games served up four draws, starting with Sunderland's New Year's Day visit to Highbury.

The match ended 1-1 after both sides converted a penalty, Chris Maguire levelling for the Black Cats four minutes from time after Kyle Dempsey had fouled Duncan Watmore.

Town had led since the 13th minute, when Josh Morris earned a spot-kick finished by Ched Evans for his eighth goal of the season.

Sunderland had the better chances, though Paddy Madden did go close to sealing victory with a second Fleetwood goal.

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Town started 2020 competing in three competitions, but a week into January that was down to one.

Two Highbury cup defeats in three days saw Portsmouth end Town's FA Cup run 2-1 at the third round stage, then Accrington ended Fleetwood's interests in the Leasing.com Trophy. Ross Sykes' last-minute strike earned Stanley a 2-2 draw and they won the penalty shootout.

And an unhappy week for Town was completed when a glancing header by Ryan Edwards in the 89th minute was enough to defeat Barton's side at Burton.

Town's Alex Cairns was the busier keeper but looked like keeping a clean sheet until Edwards was first to Ross Joyce's cross.

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It was Town's turn to leave it late a week later, Morris' 87th-minute strike earning a 2-2 draw with Shrewsbury Town at Highbury.

Town rued early missed chances as Shaun Whalley gave the Shrews the lead just before half-time.

But the hosts were level four minutes after the restart as Lewie Coyle, who joined Town on a permanent basis during this month midway through his third season on loan from Leeds, scored what is to date his only goal for the club.

Substitute Jason Cummings looked to have sealed back-to-back league defeats for Fleetwood with his 81st-minute strike only for Morris to provide an even later twist.

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The month ended with two goalless draws, Cairns' saving Jonson Clarke-Harris' 87th-minute penalty at Bristol Rovers.

A blustery Highbury night brought another stalemate against Coventry City, Ched Evans having the best of the home chances as Town ended the month in 11th place.