Coasters draw penultimate pre-season game after goal exchange in closing moments

AFC Fylde took a late lead in their penultimate pre-season friendly at Morecambe but had to settle for a 1-1 draw on Tuesday night.

With the 2026/27 season barely 10 away, two teams who have swapped divisions looked to be heading for a goalless draw at Halo Aerospace Stadium until Dylan Allen-Hadley broke the deadlock on 82 minutes. But Fylde were ahead for just three minutes before Paul Lewis equalised for the hosts.

Morecambe started the game on the front foot, with Lewis Leigh hitting the post from a tight angle and Cameron Coxe forcing a flying save from Pat Boyes.

After a sluggish start, Fylde hit back as Danny Ormerod saw a shot superbly blocked by Lewis Baines.

Allen-Hadley scuffed an effort from the edge of the box when he should have done better and Tom Whelan blazed over from close range.

Fylde started the second half on top, with Ormerod seeing an early effort blocked by Shrimps substitute Liam Hogan and Allen-Hadley’s shot deflected wide.

Former Morecambe defender Adam Lewis went close and Ormerod was denied an opener by Joe Young.

That was the only clear chance until the closing stages, when both sides found the target.

Allen-Hadley was a constant threat down the left. He controlled the ball well and linked up with Ethan Mitchell before firing into the bottom corner from a tight angle.

Midfielder Paul Lewis soon levelled from Isaac Buckley-Ricketts’ low cross.

Fylde’s final pre-season game is at Northern Premier League club Warrington Rylands this Saturday.

FYLDE: Boyes, Lewis, Mitchell, Merrie, T Whelan, Ormerod, Mayor, Allen-Hadley, Lancaster, C Whelan, Drewe; Subs: Jones, Taylor, Morris, Main, Jackson, Trialist, Meadowcroft, Fisher, Dougall.