AFC Fylde defeated play-off hopeful’s Altrincham on Saturday afternoon by two goals to one.

Gavin Massey’s long range effort and Nick Haughton’s venomous strike from a tight angle, either side of Lewis Banks cross-goal strike in the first 45 earning David Longwell and Chris Neal victory in their first encounter at the helm.

The first opportunity of the afternoon fell the host’s way as Regan Linney tried to catch Ben Wintebottom off guard from distance but the Brentford loanee claimed the effort comfortably.

Gavin Massey found the head of Charlie Jolley moments later, but he was unable to find any sort of power and send his header goalward, as the Coasters built slight momentum in the opening stages.

Massey then opened the scoring with an inspired strike as his dipping finish across goal from around 25-yards-out, caught Caleb Ansen off guard in the host goal, with less than eight minutes on the clock.

The hosts then piled on the pressure as Winterbottom denied the Robins frontline on several occasions following a succession of corner kicks. Including a fantastic stop with his left foot from close range.

A leveller was found soon after when Justin Amaluzor teed up full back Lewis Banks just inside the area as he struck across goal and into the back of the net via Winterbottom’s right-hand post.

Altrincham continued to maintain possession as they looked to take the lead just past the quarter-of-an-hour mark before a positive spell for the Coasters with Max Bardell and Joe Riley combining well down the right to earn the first corner of the afternoon for the Coasters.

Nick Haughton regained the lead for the Coasters with a low powerful effort from a tight angle after Massey picked him out with an exquisitely placed ball to send the number 10 through on goal down the left-hand-side to fire home.

Massey and Haughton again combined well as the former spun two midfielders in the centre circle before Massey’s mazing run down the left came to an end as he won a free-kick. Haughton swung the set piece into the area, but it was fired over the bar.

Winterbottom made another smart stop as he parried a powerful effort away from goal and down the left, as the first-half came to an end.

Robin’s talisman Linney started the second-half on the front foot as he looked to isolate Bardell in the right back position who stood his ground well to deny the forward a strike on goal with a well timed sliding challenge.

The hosts maintained pressure as the hour mark approached with Winterbottom claiming a tame effort from Jake Bickerstaff.

Winterbottom again provided an excellent stop to deny Tom Crawford as he struck a low and powerful effort from distance just shy of the 70 minute mark.

While the Robins held plenty of possession in the closing stages a resolute Coasters backline held strong as they closed out an impressive victory in Greater Manchester providing the perfect reaction to Tuesday’s disappointing defeat to Boston United.

A trip to Gateshead awaits the Coasters next weekend in a late kick-off.

AFC Fylde: Winterbottom, Bardell, Whelan (C), Davis, McFayden, Riley, Mitchell, Jolley (Roberts 52′), Haughton, Massey (Hugill 76′), Boatswain (Adom 52′)

Subs not used: Clark, Obi, Long, Da Silva