AFC Fylde had to make do with a point against second-placed Yeovil Town, after a two goal lead was cancelled out by a quick fire double for the visitors.
Jim Bentley saw his Coasters side start the stronger of the two teams in the first half, and went in at the break deservedly leading.
A corner routine from the edge of the box found Luke Burke in plenty of space, but his low, first-time effort was blocked by a red shirt, and the chance disappeared.
Yeovil demonstrated flashes of why they sat in second place, as Charlie Lee’s effort from distance forced Hornby into a smart save down to his left.
The Coasters should have opened their account at the other end shortly after, as Mark Yeate’s outswinging corner found Ryan Croasdale 8 yards from goal – but he headed wide under little pressure.
Mark Yeates himself then had the chance to open the scoring, as Matty Kosylo’s cross fell kindly to him in the box, but Yeovil keeper Stuart Nelson was on hand to deny him with a fine save.
Yeovil grew into the game and threatened through the dangerous Rhys Murphy, but a corner kick became their undoing.
Dan Bradley headed clear for Fylde and spearheaded a Coasters counter attack, combining well with Matty Kosylo who had kept his place in Jordan Williams’ absence.
The ball was played back to Bradley who drilled a cross across the face of goal, only to see it diverted into the net by Yeovil defender Osho, and give Fylde a deserved lead.
It was just rewards for the attacking football shown in the first half, and in truth, the lead could have been greater.
HALF-TIME: AFC Fylde 1-0 Yeovil Town
The Glovers started the second half with a renewed sense of urgency, with Hippolyte and Dagnall both coming close within ten minutes of the restart.
A gilt-edged chance arrived when a cross from the left was met on the volley by danger man Rhys Murphy, but Sam Hornby made a superb fingertip save to deny him his sixteenth league goal.
The weathering of the storm seemed alomst complete when the Coasters doubled their lead – another counter attack saw Danny Rowe feed in Dan Bradley inside the Glovers’ box.
This time, Bradley aimed for goal, and powered a low right footed effort into the net, notching his fourth of the season, and looking to push Fylde closer to three points.
Yeovil, however, had not given up hope, and soon halved the deficit after Osho’s fantastic delivery picked out Duffus in the box.
Courtney Duffus rose highest and powered a brilliant header into the floor and beyond Hornby, giving Yeovil a lifeline with ten minutes to go.
Then, within the blink of an eye, Yeovil had an equaliser, with Sam Hornby the one having to hold up his hands to his teammates.
Hornby’s mis-kick played the ball right to Duffus ten yards from goal, who composed himself, before slotting into the corner and levelling the game.
The Coasters introduced Kurt Willoughby from the bench, making his first appearance since his hernia injury – and he very nearly had the final say.
A long ball caused chaos in the Yeovil back line and Willoughby was ready to pounce, but Nelson rushed off of his line, and cleared the danger.
Neither team did enough from here to win it in the closing stages, and the Coasters were made to rue two dropped points.
FULL-TIME: AFC Fylde 2 – 2 Yeovil Town
Click here to listen to the reaction of Coasters boss Jim Bentley.
Teams
AFC Fylde: Hornby, Taylor, Whitmore, Byrne, Burke, Croasdale (Willoughby 88’), Philliskirk, Bradley, Yeates (Craigen 69’), Kosylo,(Jameson 81’), Rowe.
Subs unused: Lavercombe. Haughton
Yeovil Town: (433) Nelson, Skendi, Wilkinson, Dickinson, Osho, Lee (Worthington 72’), Hippolyte (Tilley61), D’Ath (Collins 68’), Dagnall, Duffus, Murphy.
Subs unused: Hutton, Williams.
