SUB HENRY CLEANS UP THE DEBRIS OF BROOM
SUPER sub Henry Jones netted a late equaliser as play-off chasers AFC Fylde secured a welldeserved point from a thrilling tussle with in-form Eastleigh.
Ryan Broom looked to have handed the south coast outfit a fifth win on the spin with a fine double either side of Zaine Francis-Angol equaliser, however Jones had the final say on his return from injury.
But Coasters manager Dave Challinor was still left frustrated afterwards, insistent that his side created more than enough chances to warrant maximum points.
“On the balance of the game, it’s two points dropped,” Challinor said.
“We started slowly but their goal gave us a kick up the backside and second half it was oneway traffic.
“We created numerous chances and on another day it could have been 6-2. We did more than enough to win the game but the two goals we have conceded are very poor.”
Eastleigh midfielder Ayo Obileye was the first to threaten when he launched a powerful drive towards goal that was deflected around the post, before flashing a header wide in a sustained spell of pressure for the visitors.
It took Fylde until midway through the half to test the Spitfires when Jonny Smith cut in from the right and curled an effort narrowly wide of the far post.
No sooner had Fylde started to find some rhythm, Eastleigh broke the deadlock. A long ball over the top was judged perfectly by Broom who nipped between the centre-halves and swept the ball into the bottom corner.
Smith went for an immediate reply when he lashed an effort across goal that looked for all the world to be arrowing towards the bottom corner, however it drifted inches wide.
Danny Rowe was agonisingly close to bringing the scores level with the last kick of the half, sending a 20-yard free-kick whistling past the near post.
The hosts picked up where they left off after the break – Graham Stack tipping over Jordan Tunnicliffe’s looping header, before watching on as Rowe’s first-time strike trickled wide.
There was a welcome return to action for Fylde midfield duo James Hardy and Jones on the hour and it was the latter that helped drag the home side back into the game. The Welsh winger whipped in a delightful ball from the right and the unlikely figure of Francis-Angol ghosted in to poke home.
However, the celebrations were cut short three minutes later when a ball forward was misjudged by Sam Stubbs and Broom once again nipped in and lifted a sublime effort over Jay Lynch.
Fylde launched a late onslaught that eventually paid dividends in the final moments. A sensational Hardy cross from the left was flicked on by Jack Muldoon to the back post where Jones was lurking to nod the ball into the far corner.
Spitfires striker Sam Matthews tweeted later: “Disappointing not to get all 3 points today but still a good point away from home against a good side! Pleased to get another assist and the unbeaten run continues.”