Southport and Fylde share the spoils in an eventful meeting on Good Friday.
The playoff hopefuls and the playoff contenders battled it out at Haig Avenue. Despite Port’s man advantage, they failed to capitalise.
It was a game of limited opportunities with the hosts enjoying the better of them. Substitute Niall Watson had arguably the best opening of the match in the second half after he latched onto a brilliant through ball from Josh Hmami, but the forward couldn’t fire beyond Bobby Jones who was caught in no mans land.
The game’s flashpoint came midway through the first half in a chaotic five minutes. Fylde had a man sent off after a coming together between Tyler Walton and skipper Will Hatfield, leaving the former on the floor, just inside the visitors half. As play continued, the captain appeared to kick the hosts midfielder.
REACTION: Liam Watson slams ‘ludicrous’ red card in Fylde draw
After consulting his assistant referee, match official Richard Holmes brandished a straight red card for the 30-year-old. Moments later, as the ball went out of play, visitors boss James Rowe kicked it away after it went out for a Yellows throw-in leading to Holmes showing the red card for the second time minutes before the break.
Fylde forward Nick Haughton came close in the opening half as he squirmed into space before seeing his curling effort kiss the bar on the way out.
The Sandgrounders enjoyed the greater share of possession in the second half but couldn’t find their way through and stay ninth three points off the playoffs.
Match Info
Southport 0-0 AFC Fylde.
Scorers: N/A
Bookings: Carberry, Bainbridge; Conlan, Hatfield (red), Haughton, Jones.
HT/FT Score: 0-0/0-0.
