AFC Fylde and Altrincham played out a goalless draw at Mill Farm Sports Village in the National League U19 Alliance.

Following FA Youth Cup success last Friday, a return to league action against Altrincham followed, with the Sports Village playing host to an entertaining draw on Wednesday afternoon.

Sean Landin made several changes to the side that triumphed against Northampton Town, with Paulo Mariani and Destin Vika amongst those trusted with a starting berth against Alty.

The latter was a constant threat down the right-hand side in the first half, with the young winger twice being involved in penalty shouts within the opening 20 minutes. 

Both were waved away by the referee as the two sides justled for possession in the opening exchanges.

Mariani went close on the half hour mark as he found a pocket of space inside the Alty 18-yard area. However, the Altrincham skipper recovered well to block the young Coasters effort.

On the cusp of half time, Alty squandered a golden opportunity to take the lead. 

The Robins number nine found himself in acres of space inside the Coasters penalty area and with only Trevor Kijjambu to beat, the young forward fluffed his lines. With the referee subsequently bringing the half to a close.

The Coasters made a double change at half time looking to inject some pace and tempo into the game.

Alex Frost certainly bought into that notion as the Coasters number ten was cautioned by the referee for a challenge on the halfway line.

With the game now end-to-end, Stan Holder produced a moment of magic to almost take the lead for the home side.

Holder moved away from two Alty defenders with ease and strode towards the edge of the area before unleashing a venomous effort from 25 yards. The Robins number one got down well to tip the effort round the post as the Coasters applied the pressure.

Mariani had looked a threat throughout the afternoon, and almost got himself on the end of substitute Joleon Moore’s enticing delivery, to take the lead. However, the Alty defence and keeper combined well with the latter sniffing out the danger at the near post. 

A late free kick from Stan Holder dipped just too late to test the Robins goal in the last action of the 90. 

The young Coasters will travel to FC Halifax Town next Wednesday (27^th November) in the National League U19 Alliance and will also look forward to a trip to the capital to face Leyton Orient next month in the FA Youth Cup.