AFC Fylde have been crowned champions of the National League North after a 2-0 win over Bradford (Park Avenue) in the National League North.

The Coasters lifted the title after a goal in each half from Nick Haughton and Joe Rowley to put the icing on the cake after a tough 46-game season.

After growing into the game following an early chance for the hosts from Myles La-Badiste, Nick Haughton took it upon himself to poke the Coasters in front, picking up the scraps from Joe Rowley’s brilliant run in behind from Connor Barrett’s throw.

With a narrow lead going into the second half, Fylde would have wanted to seal the victory with more, which Joe Rowley did expertly.

Haughton won the ball back high up and switched out to the right, where Danny Philliskirk dummied the ball for Rowley to take one touch and find the bottom corner from just outside the area.

Adam Murray made one change to the side that secured victory at Curzon Ashton, with Connor Barrett replacing Dan Pike in the starting XI.

Four minutes into the meeting, the hosts had the first opportunity when a long kick from George Sykes-Kenworthy dropped to La-Badiste in the area, who looked to fire across goal but struck over.

The Coasters were growing into the game and keeping possession nicely, looking to create an opening and find a breakthrough.

Eventually, the possession did lead to a couple of chances for Murray’s men when first, Luke Charman chipped back to Haughton on the penalty spot for a first-time effort at goal, which drifted just wide before Charman beat the offside trap to cut inside, lace an effort at goal but into the side netting.

Fylde did have the ball in the back of the net after 32 minutes after Danny Whitehead’s timid shot fell to the feet of Charman, who on the half-turn, smashed into the bottom left corner, only for him to see the linesman’s flag up for offside.

However, the Coasters did find the breakthrough four minutes later when a long throw from Barrett was latched on to by Joe Rowley. He scrapped for a clear sight at goal, which he couldn’t quite find before Haughton arrived and poked into the back of the net.

Half-Time: Bradford (Park Avenue) 0-1 AFC Fylde  

Haughton’s goal in the first half seemed to have settled the Coasters’ nerves as they ventured out for the second half.

After Danny Philliskirk was fouled on the edge of the area, Haughton was given an opportunity to step up and attempt to add a second, though Sykes-Kenworthy gathered to deny him.

Bradford were applying pressure without creating any clear-cut chances, and then a mistake from the hosts allowed the Coasters to take advantage and add a second.

Haughton picked up the loose pass from the hosts and switched out to the right, where Philliskirk dummied it for Rowley, who took one touch and found the bottom corner from around 20 yards out.

With BPA having to win to have any chance of survival, Will Lancaster took it upon himself to try and spark a comeback, though Neal gathered with ease as he aimed towards the top corner.

Although the Coasters had a healthy lead, they were searching for a third to put the icing on top of the cake, and as Haughton drifted a corner into the area, Harry Davis met it and rattled the bar with a header.

Full-Time: Bradford (Park Avenue) 0-2 AFC Fylde   

Bradford (Park Avenue): Sykes-Kenworthy, Odunston, Ross, Lancaster, Havern, Lund, Hopper (86’ Kersey), Richman (46’ Dockerty), La-Bastide (73’ Johnson), Fielding, Longbottom.

Unused subs: Spencer, Smith.

AFC Fylde: Neal, Obi, Davis, Whitmore, Conlan, Barrett (63’ Pike), Philliskirk, Whitehead, Rowley (73’ Ligendza), Haughton (83’ Hatfield), Charman.

Unused Subs: Walker, Cybulski.