Third time unlucky as Fylde lose again

AFC Fylde missed the chance to climb back to the top of the Vanarama Conference North as they fell to a third successive 3-1 defeat.

Fylde remain second with games in hand but their Leeds hosts are up to fourth, having led 3-0 before a late consolation from Danny Rowe.

The opening stages were very even, with both sides having decent chances.

Richie Allen had the best of Fylde’s early opportunities with a header from six yards which was well saved by keeper Steven Drench.

But the game was turned on its head when Guiseley were awarded a 34th-minute penalty for a push by Danny Rowe, who was booked.

Guiseley winger Gavin Rothery sent keeper Ben Hinchliffe the wrong way from the resulting spot kick.

The Coasters found themselves behind at half-time and it got worse 10 minutes after the restart.

Joe Booth headed the ball over Hinchliffe and into the back of his own net. The luckless Booth soon made way for Matty Blinkhorn.

Guiseley sealed victory with a third nine minutes later, when Wayne Brooksby’s shot was parried into the path of Adam Boyes and he tapped home into an empty net from six yards.

Fylde had chances going forward but their final passes often let them down.

The Coasters did get a consolation goal nine minutes from time, when Rowe headed home a Caspar Hughes cross, with the ball striking a post and trickling over the line.

Fylde had several late chances for a second goal from a series of corners, but they couldn’t add a second to set up a frantic finale.