AFC Fylde’s academy progressed into the next round of the FA Youth Cup following a dramatic 3-2 win over Curzon Ashton.
A Stan Holder brace and a late Dustin Vika volley proved the difference as Nathan Delfouneso’s side came from behind to win in a feisty cup tie under the lights.
There was a fast start at the Tameside Stadium with Fylde taking the lead inside two minutes as skipper Stan Holder bundled the ball past James Pozzoni in the Curzon goal to give the Coasters the lead.
But the host’s were back level when Abu-Hassan brought his man down in the area, to which Oliver Kvaternik converted the resulting spot kick.
As the game began to calm, there was controversy when a wrongful offside saw a Fylde defender appear to clear the ball off the line, only for a goal to be given, giving the host’s the lead midway through the first half.
The Coasters pushed in the latter stages of the half with Holder going close but seeing his effort drag just wide.
But Fylde couldn’t make the pressure count as they went in undeservedly behind at the break.
The Coasters started the second half in dominant fashion, instantly putting pressure on the Curzon Ashton defence.
Striker Mason McKay looked for an equaliser with a powerful effort which was well kept out by the Curzon ‘keeper.
On 75 minutes, the Coasters pressure finally paid off as Stan Holder stood over a free kick and his effort deflected past the keeper to level the scores.
Fylde were dominating the proceedings and with all the momentum going Fylde’s way, there looked destined to only be one winner.
With just under ten minutes to go, Fylde took the lead as a great cross from the Jesse Hailwood put an opportunity on a plate for Dustin Vika who volleyed home from close range to put Nathan Delfouneso’s side ahead.
With seven minutes added on, Fylde had to ride out some late Curzon pressure but the defence stood firm as the away side progressed into the third qualifying round of the competition.