Leamington 1 AFC Fylde 1: Last-gasp leveller denies Coasters the three points

Danny Ormerod's classy first-half flick looked to be the difference before a controversial finish from Frank Tattum in the last seconds saw the home side earn a crucial point in their bid for survival.

The Coasters looked to adjust to a difficult surface in the early stages, and referee Neil Pratt was certainly active in the opening minutes as both Fylde centre-halves received yellow cards, with Corey Whelan and Will Lancaster both entering the book.

But just after a quarter of an hour, Fylde hit the front.

Jon Ustabasi showed wonderful pace and skill to beat Dan Meredith down the left-hand side, before the winger drilled the ball towards the near post, where Ormerod produced a flick to find the net and his 31st of the campaign.

However, there was a turn in mood for boss Craig Mahon as a long ball over the top sent Max Brogan through on goal, and he was brought down just outside the area by Whelan, who was given a straight red card from the referee.

With Fylde set to spend the next 70 or so minutes with 10 men, Ethan Mitchell moved into a centre-half role alongside the in-form Lancaster.

The Coasters continued to have the majority of possession in Warwickshire without being able to add to the scoreline as neither side were able to create a clear-cut chance.

The second half started in similar fashion as Fylde looked to keep hold of their clean sheet.

Alex Healy-Byrne was called into a second fantastic block of the game as he denied Max Brogan from the edge of the area.

Ormerod then went close to a 10th brace of the season with a flicked header from a corner which fell just the wrong side of the post.

There were appeals from the home side with little over 15 minutes to play as Will Glennon's header crashed off the underside of the bar, and Leamington felt it had crossed the line before Fylde eventually cleared.

Zac Jones was then called into action with a great, strong stop to deny the active Brogan, who tried his luck from distance.

George Wilson was introduced late on to help see out the three points with Ormerod leaving the field, and Fylde continued to scrap for every ball in the latter stages.

But with virtually the final kick of the game, a shot was fired into the Fylde area, which was initially kept out by Jones, before it appeared to be handled into the net from close range.

However, the goal stood as Leamington snatched a point and Fylde were forced to settle for a draw.

It's another quick turnaround for Mahon's side who next face AFC Telford United on their return to Mill Farm on Tuesday.

​