AFC Fylde Women had to settle for a share of the spoils on Sunday after a 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough Women FC at Kellamergh Park.

Fylde almost claimed all three points against Michael Mulhern’s Boro Women but were dealt a cruel blow deep in stoppage time when the visitors grabbed a set-piece equaliser right at the death. Danny Murphy’s team put in an impressive performance against the title-chasing Teessiders, who came into this rearranged fixture on the back of a five-game unbeaten run.

Defying their lowly league position, the Coasters tore up the form guide and went ahead through Demi Devereaux’s composed strike in the 40th minute. After containing their opponents for most of the second half, Fylde could not hang on to their slender lead as Jessica Mett swept home from a corner in the 96th minute.

While Middlesbrough rescued a point to close the gap on top spot, Fylde earned a valuable point in their quest to climb out of the relegation zone. Despite being denied a victory that would have lifted them off the foot of the table, the Coasters could take heart from a strong showing against promotion-chasing opposition.

There was just one change to the starting eleven that faced Chorley Women last time out as Karri Chan came into the midfield. Lois Moore made a welcome return to the squad after a spell out through injury, while Teal Dunion was absent through illness.

On a sunny and breezy afternoon, both sides looked to settled into a rhythm in the opening stages. Ellen Turnbull created the game’s first chance when she darted inside and drew a low save from Fylde goalkeeper Skye Kirkham, who turned the ball behind for a corner.

Moments later, Imogen Borrowdale attacked down the right and teed up Holly Kelsh-Ridge, who hit a speculative shot that was gathered by Boro goalkeeper Laura Wareham.

As the visitors pressed forward, Rebecca Ferguson cut in from the right and centred for Lauren Robson, who scooped her shot high over the crossbar. In their next attack, Turnbull crossed for Kacie Elson, whose header was comfortably held by Kirkham.

In the 22nd minute, Fylde won a free-kick on the edge of the area, from which Kelsh-Ridge’s teasing cross just evaded Mia Hyland at the back post. Later in the first half, the Coasters threatened again from a similar situation when Kelsh-Ridge’s free-kick forced Wareham into a superb reflex save at her near post.

With half-time fast approaching, the Coasters made the breakthrough when Devereaux scored from the edge of the six-yard box. After controlling Kelsh-Ridge’s cross with her first touch, Devereaux fired the ball into the back of the net with her second touch to make it 1-0.

In first-half stoppage time, Fylde were forced into a change after Emilia Nuttall went down injured and had to be stretchered off. Nuttall was replaced by Summer Breed, who came off the bench to make her debut for the club.

Half-Time: AFC Fylde Women 1-0 Middlesbrough Women FC

Within two minutes of the restart, Beth Mason played a delightful through ball to Devereaux, but the Fylde forward could not get a shot away under pressure from the Boro backline.

In the 53rd minute, the Teessiders came close from a free-kick when Robson’s attempt rattled the crossbar, before the rebound was flagged for offside. Just past the hour-mark, Boro substitute Armani Maxwell took aim from a direct free-kick, but her left-footed strike sailed over the crossbar.

Entering the final quarter-hour, Borrowdale met a corner kick with a crisp volley that forced a smart save from Wareham in the visiting goal. Minutes later, it was the home goalkeeper’s turn to impress when Kirkham reacted well to repel Maxwell’s powerful shot on target.

Impressing on her debut, Breed made a vital defensive header to intercept a long ball over the top as the Teessiders searched for an equaliser in the closing stages.

In the 96th minute, Maxwell sent in a corner towards the near post that the Fylde defence scrambled to clear, but the ball to fall invitingly to Mett, who slammed home into the roof of the net. It was a bitter blow for the Coasters to concede so late on, but Murphy’s team could be proud of their efforts as they came away with a precious point.

Full-Time: AFC Fylde Women 1-1 Middlesbrough Women FC

AFC Fylde Women: Kirkham, Mason, Nuttall (45+3’ Breed), James, Tindall, Borrowdale, Hyland, O’Mahony, Chan (66’ Dale), Kelsh-Ridge, Devereaux (78’ Moore)

Unused substitutes: Bowers Folan, Whitaker

Middlesbrough Women FC: Wareham, Packham, Towers, Turnbull, Mett, Robson, Giles, Bell, Ferguson (60’ Maxwell), Boyes, Elson (80’ Gibson)

Unused substitutes: Cook, Skelton, Wilkinson

Report by Scott Jones