Recap: Harriers 0-1 AFC Fylde

---

HARRIERS fell to defeat after Nick Haughton’s early strike was enough to secure three points for play-off rivals AFC Fylde.

The Coasters netted early in what was their first game under new management. A ball lofted back over the home defence wasn’t spotted, and their top scorer wasted no time in firing it beyond Luke Simpson to ultimately decide the tie.

Harriers did have a handful of chances to draw level but never truly got their shooting boots on. Omari Sterling’s low free kick was met by a good Chris Neal save, while the visitors were able to clear the danger as Geraldo Bajrami got on to the end of a good free kick before the half hour mark.

Fylde did have a brace of chances to extend their lead before the break. Simpson denied Tollitt by tipping his shot over the bar, before the bar came to Harriers’ rescue as Obi’s bullet header cannoned off the upright.

Haughton almost doubled his tally for the day near the hour when Simpson got down well to keep out his shot, the marksman thwarted once more with just over ten to go of normal time as he blocked another effort at close range.

Sam Austin’s shot – parried away – and an Alex Penny header on to the roof of the net in the final minutes of the day were as close as the Reds came to a late rally, but the points were soon on their way back to Mill Farm.

Get full team line-ups and key match facts from The Match Centre

 

---

---