Fylde 4 Darlington 1

Goals: Whelan 13 mins, 1-0, Thomas 15 mins, 2-0, Mayor 23 mins, 3-0, Main 53 mins 3-1, Ormerod 84 mins 4-1

Three first half goals for the league leaders saw Quakers fall to defeat at Mill Farm.

Quakers were 3-0 down by the half hour mark and were punished for their mistakes, but they battled back well after that. They pulled a goal back through Cedric Main and nearly got another in the second half.

Nevertheless, Quakers are still firmly in the play off places, in sixth place four points ahead of eighth placed Telford.

Here are the goals:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sjTZlNmWjE

and here's Steve's interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls_JVfVaojc

Quakers nearly took the lead in the second minute. Aidan Rutledge picked the ball up 30 yards out, charged into the box, and Zac Jones tipped his effort over the bar.

Quakers kept the pressure going with the wind at their backs, and Kallum Griffiths’ right wing cross was held under the bar by the keeper.

Fylde won a corner with their first real effort on goal. Rory Watson tipped Tom Whelan’s 25 yarder over the top, and the home side scored from the setpiece.

The ball was played short to Whelan, who ran into the area and struck a low left foot cross shot into the bottom left corner.

Fylde went further ahead on 15 minutes when they won possession on the edge of the Darlington box, and Luca Thomas beat Watson with a low shot from just inside the area.

Quakers had a half chance to pull one back when Main got away down the right and crossed into the middle for Rutledge, who couldn’t quite turn on the ball with his back to goal.

But Fylde went 3-0 up on 23 minutes when Mayor ran at the Darlington defence, had his first shot blocked by Watson, but he snaffled up the rebound to score.

Quakers worked hard to get back into the game, but they had to be alert at the other end, and Watson made a superb fingertip save from Thomas’ header.

Quakers nearly pulled one back just on half time, when Main ran into the area, and fired just over. Then in the next attack, McGowan curled a left foot shot just wide.

And just on the whistle, McLaughlin hit a left foot shot that Jones saved well down to his left

Half time:

Fylde 3 Darlington 0

Quakers made a sub at the start of the second half, Elliot Forbes coming on for Griffiths.

They gave themselves hope on 53 minutes when Rutledge found Main about 30 yards out, and the striker kept his balance well and beat Jones with a low right foot shot.

Then Ben Hedley crossed from the right for Rutledge to fire straight at Jones.

Watson kept Quakers’ hopes alive with a good point blank save from Ormerod on 64 minutes, but at the other end, Main was inches away from scoring when Barrow chipped a free kick forward for him, but under pressure, he fired just wide.

Quakers made another sub on 71 minutes, Tom Allan coming on for Hedley.

They created another chance on 82 minutes when McGowan played a 1-2 with Main inside the area, but his shot was blocked.

But it was all over on 84 minutes, when Ormerod fired past Watson.

Final score

Fylde 4 Darlington 1

Team; Watson, Hedley (sub Allan 71 mins), Lees, Barrow, Griffiths (sub Forbes 46), Lowes, McLaughlin, Tweedy, McGowan, Rutledge, Main

Subs: McGrath, Barton, Platt