Buxton 2-2 Fylde - match report

Buxton came away from a tough fixture against league leaders Fylde with a well-earned point, as their unbeaten away record was maintained.
Buxton FC v North Ferriby Utd, Lee Morris and former Silverlands favourite Greg AndersonBuxton FC v North Ferriby Utd, Lee Morris and former Silverlands favourite Greg Anderson
Buxton FC v North Ferriby Utd, Lee Morris and former Silverlands favourite Greg Anderson

Martin McIntosh’s side led twice only to be hauled back on level terms on both occasions by the Coasters.

Despite not picking up maximum points, the draw was the perfect tonic after the previous week’s heavy defeat at home to North Ferriby in the FA Cup.

After conceding eight goals in their previous two matches Buxton put in a much-improved showing, especially in defence.

McIntosh kept faith with the same starting XI that fell to defeat the previous weekend.

Jamie Green was rested from the squad as he continued to recover from concussion sustained against Worksop recently.

Buxton went ahead on 13 minutes when Leon Osborne half-volleyed home just inside the box after Fylde had wasted a free kick up the other end of the pitch just seconds earlier.

The former Bradford forward exchanged passes with Craig King before firing home in style.

The strike was Osborne’s fifth goal in as many outings and was a bitter blow to the Fylde defence which was the meanest in the division prior to kick-off.

Fylde then threatened with efforts from Harry Winter and Matty Blinkhorn but it was third time lucky when Danny Lloyd eventually found the net in first half stoppage time, nodding in from close range.

After the interval Buxton came out the stronger and Osborne laid the ball off for Lee Morris who had plenty of time to fire in a composed effort from 12 yards out for his seventh strike of the season.

Ash Palmer, who put in a tremendous shift throughout the afternoon, then produced an inch-perfect 50-yard ball for King but he blasted over, spurning the chance for a crucial third goal.

Fylde boss Dave Challinor then made an inspired substitution with 15 minutes to go, bringing on Jack Dorney for Caspar Hughes.

Within seconds of stepping onto the field, Dorney had scored Fylde’s second equaliser.

Adam Sumner poked the ball through to Dorney, who coolly slotted beyond the reach of Bucks’ stopper Andy Warrington to level proceedings.

With the match evenly poised McIntosh’s side went in search of the three points and they came the closest to gaining victory.

Matt Thornhill laid the ball back to Derek Niven but his driven effort just cleared the bar, as spoils were shared on the coast.

Buxton: Warrington; Black, Broadhead, Palmer, Johnson; Osborne, Istead, Niven, Thornhill (Ryan); King, Morris (Lugsden).