Hoti grabs dramatic equaliser as Shaymen fight back to stun Fylde

Substitute Florent Hoti scored a fantastic equaliser as FC Halifax Town fought back from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw at Fylde last Tuesday.

Luke Charman and Nick Haughton had put the hosts into a comfortable half-time lead, but second-half goals from Jamie Cooke and Hoti rescued a point as the teams drew 2-2 for the second time this season.

The Shaymen would certainly have taken a point at half-time after being outplayed in the first 45, and they showed admirable resolve to dig deep.

Ex-Town loanee Sam Graham headed against the bar within the first minute for Fylde as the hosts started with real intent, playing with high energy, getting in Halifax's faces.

It might have only been seven minutes in, but Fylde's opener was already arguably deserved, with Charman's low shot beating the outstretched leg of Sam Johnson, who may feel he could have done better, at his near post.

New signing Adan George, in from the start, made his first contribution of note with a nicely timed run down the left flank, beating the offside trap, from which he won a corner.

Tylor Golden's in-swinging set-piece was then pretty much cleared off the line, with Halifax slowly coming into the game, starting to show a bit of fight themselves after a timid opening.

They were blown back off course though when Haughton reacted quicker than a Town defender to a through ball down the left before cutting inside without being challenged an curling a shot across goal into the far corner.

Golden had The Shaymen's first shot on target 37 minutes in after George's lay-off, but Theo Richardson tipped it behind.

The next goal felt big, and Town got it when Angelo Cappello, having moved to left wing-back, shimmied upfield before playing a lovely through ball to Cooke, who kept his composure to finish low from the left of the box.

Cooke should have got his and Halifax's second from substitute Hoti's low cross, but he blazed over near the penalty spot.

Hoti then produced a sensational left-footed strike from 20 yards, in off the bar, to reward Town for a much better second-half.

Hoti was then forced off with a shoulder injury in stoppage time to put a dampener on what should have been a memorable night for him.