AFC Fylde suffered a really disappointing result on the road on Saturday as they fell to a 1-0 defeat away at Ebbsfleet United.

Despite a heap of second half pressure, the Coasters were unable to force an equaliser and left Kent with nothing to show for their efforts.

Haughton was at the heart of everything positive that Fylde produced in the first 45 as he went close with a free kick after just three minutes.

Midway through the half, Haughton looked to set Owen Evans away with a brilliant pass on the turn, but the full back couldn’t keep his effort down.

Ebbsfleet grew into the contest as the half went on, looking dangerous particularly in the wide areas.

George Moncur went close late in the half as he broke down the left wing and saw his effort well blocked by Corey Whelan.

There was a half time change as Nick Haughton, who had been a doubt before kick off with illness, had to come off in place of Will Hugill.

But the second half got off to a terrible start for Fylde who fell behind within two minutes as Will Lankshire bundled the ball home from close range to break the deadlock.

Fylde then began to get a foot hold in the contest, creating chance after chance.

Gavin Massey dragged a couple of efforts wide and Joe Riley was denied twice in quick succession, seeing his first effort blocked before he showed great footwork to work a yard of space, but curled his effort just wide.

Will Hugill also went close after playing a neat one-two with Ethan Mitchell and his effort was inches away from finding the far corner on a day where nothing seemed to go Fylde’s way.

As the fourth official announced four minutes of added time, Fylde were denied what seemed a certain penalty as Tyler Roberts was tripped in the penalty area, having his boot taking off in the process, but the referee waived away the appeals.

There was one final chance as Ben Winterbottom rose highest from a corner to almost save a point, but the ‘keeper’s header flew just wide of the post.

A disappointing result for Fylde who slipped back into the relegation zone ahead of a Mill Farm double header next week as we host Sutton United and Forest Green Rovers.

AFC Fylde: Winterbottom, Bardell (Sassi 82′), Davis, Whelan (C), Massey, Mitchell (Obi 82′), Riley, Evans (McFayden 71′), Haughton (Hugill 45′), Roberts, Boatswain (Ormerod 71′)

Subs not used: Clark, Long