AFC Fylde progressed into round two of the FA Cup with a 4-1 win at Harrogate Town on Saturday, writes WILL JONES.

Although Craig Mahon’s players began positively, it was the hosts who took the lead inside the first 10 minutes.

Will McGowan capitalised on a loose ball before gliding through and slotting it beyond George Pickford.

The Coasters replied well, Luca Thomas seeing a header kept out by Harrogate keeper Luke Hutchinson before he levelled on 16 minutes.

He met Millar Matthews-Lewis’ pinpoint cross at the back post, sliding home to restore parity.

Fylde’s Jack Morris fired just wide as he sought to score for the third consecutive game, though Pickford made vital saves from Morgan Williams and Josh Hmami to keep the scores level.

Hutchinson also denied Morris with half-time looming, after which the sprightly Aaron Drewe’s attacking efforts paid off with the Coasters’ second goal on the hour.

He continued his run into the box and, after Harrogate failed to clear their lines, smashed home from 15 yards.

Smelling blood, Fylde almost scored a third as Hutchinson was quickly off his line with Matthews-Lewis looking to find the net.

Mahon turned to his bench as the half progressed, introducing Dylan Allen-Hadley, Greg Olley and Theo Upton, though Pickford had to get down well in making a save from distance with a little more than 15 minutes left.

Fylde’s discipline would be rewarded on 78 minutes when Allen-Hadley broke at pace down the left and was bundled over inside the area.

The referee pointed to the spot and Tom Whelan confidently slotted away the penalty to give the Coasters breathing space.

Matthews-Lewis then put the result beyond all doubt with six minutes to play, making the most of Harrogate’s inability to clear the danger and firing another loose ball beyond Hutchinson.

Two further changes were made late on, which saw Cedric Main and Archie Lang replace Chris Merrie and Matthews-Lewis as Fylde held out for the remaining time and the four added minutes.

Harrogate Town: Hutchinson, Payne (Cass 65), Bristow, McGowan, Williams, Baptiste, Dreyer, Hmami, McGuckin (Taylor 65), Craig (Dolaghan 73), Horton (McCoulsky 65). Subs not used: Watson, Burrell, Fox Thomson, Muldoon.

AFC Fylde: Pickford, Drewe, Lancaster, C Whelan, Broad, Morris (Olley 73), Merrie (Lang 85), T Whelan, McCormick (Upton 73), Thomas (Allen-Hadley 62), Matthews-Lewis (Main 85). Subs not used: Boyes, Taylor, Malcolm.

Referee: Declan Brown.

Attendance: 2,375.