AFC Fylde’s rising stars reached the first round proper of the FA Youth Cup with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Ashton Athletic.

The young Coasters got off to a whirlwind start at Kellamergh Park, hitting their visitors with two early goals. Ashton were soon level, but a Carnan Dawson goal on the stroke of half-time handed Fylde a deserved victory and a home tie against Bury in the next round.

The hosts took the lead after just eight minutes when Tom Billington sent a long free-kick into the box and Jamie Welsby stole in to score.   

The advantage was soon doubled when Ashton stopper Matthew Shorrocks saved well, but James Howell was in the right place to tuck away the rebound.  

The game was a turning into a fantastic advert for youth football and by the half-hour mark the visitors were back on level terms.

Striker Jamie Charnock was the man to do the damage for Ashton, firstly turning home Ryan Smith’s corner before slotting into the back of the net following a defence-splitting pass.

Fylde came close to regaining the lead, but Dawson clipped the bar on 35 minutes from a clever corner routine.

However, the youngster was not to be denied for long and, moments before the break, hit the decisive goal with a sublime free-kick.

Ashton pushed for an equaliser, but it was Fylde who were still looking more dangerous and they went close on 78 minutes when substitute Usen Jones rattled the crossbar.

Two minutes later, Fylde had another chance to put the tie to bed, but Shorrocks produced the save of the night to deny Zak Adekoya.

AFC Fylde: Whittingham, Billington (Ashworth), Dawson, Smith, Welsby, Howell, Adekoya, Winne, Sloane (Hutchinson), Rigby, Cummins (Jones).