Fylde come out on top after battle with Park Avenue

A LATE goal was enough to take AFC Fylde back to the top of the Vanarama Conference North as they snatched all three points from a tight game at Horsfall Stadium, tonight.

Avenue made a bright start but the title-chasing Coasters were soon into their stride and Danny Rowe drove an 11th minute free kick into the wall. Fylde wasted a good chance from a quick break minutes later.

Both sides were looking to attack and break the deadlock. A rare error from Bradford skipper Simon Ainge led to a corner for the visitors but the defender showed his quality by heading it clear.

Avenue’s Joe Colbeck was raining in crosses and Richard Marshall’s deliveries from set-pieces were causing the Fylde defence problems.

However, it was the Coasters who came closest in the goalless first half when Rowe’s shot from the edge of the area hit the base of the post with Avenue keeper John Danby beaten.

The visitors were denied by the woodwork early in the second half when Danny Lloyd-McGoldrick fired a shot against the bar. The forward was not to be denied his goal, however, and a little over six minutes was remaining he raced onto a through ball and slotted home.