AFC Fylde manager Dave Challinor believes a point was the very least his side deserved after a last minute equaliser earned a 3-3 draw against Salford City on Tuesday evening.
Despite twice trailing in the matched, Coasters defender Steve Williams stole in to head home in added time and Challinor admits he was pleased with the fightback.
“In all honesty, we didn’t particularly play well in possession but we showed the characteristics that we are going to need this season if we are to be successful.
“I think we deserved at least a point from the game but I’m disappointed once again in the way that we conceded goals. One was a worldie but two of their goals are terrible from our point of view.
“Rowey scored a worldie to make it 2-2 and then their keeper makes a top save to keep out Bohan Dixon before Rowey hits the post with an incredible free-kick. So for their lad to go up the other end and slam one in was frustrating.
“At that point I knew we were up against it. We brought Matt Blinkhorn on and I thought he had a big impact on the game in a short space of time and got us up the pitch.
“We piled forward and Andy Bond had made a great run and put in a fantastic cross and Steve Williams has popped up in an unusual position to get us an equaliser. We showed great character to keep going and got our reward.
“But at the end of the day we are still unbeaten and now top of the league so that’s the position we want to be in. We are now there to be shot at.
“We had a fantastic crowd on and we provided them with an entertaining game. Hopefully they enjoyed it and will want to come back. We are moving forward as a club and we have to keep doing that on the pitch too.”
Challinor was forced into two changes ahead of the match following injuries to goalkeeper Rhys Taylor and winger Brendon Daniels and the manager admits the changes in personnel affected the rhythm of the team.
“It wasn’t ideal to have to make changes to a winning side but it is part and parcel of the game. Rhys is a big loss for us because he has been a calming influence at the back for us with his experience and composure and with Brendon missing it meant we had to set up a little differently to usual.
“So it did disrupt the balance but that is no excuse for the goals we conceded. I want them back as quickly as possible, but we are still unsure as to when that might be. Fingers crossed they aren’t long term. If we need to strengthen then that’s what we will do.
“We have a busy weekend coming up with Halifax on Saturday and Bradford on Monday and hopefully we can keep this run going for as long as possible.”