Boro sunk by last-gasp Ormerod header at high-flying AFC Fylde

The second-placed side dominated throughout but found the Boro defence once again on top form, and it took a late goal to secure the points for the full-timers,19-year-old striker Danny Ormerod netting twice to take his tally for the season to 22

The skilful home side dictated play from the off, and strung together some neat passing moves, but Boro defended superbly and the work-rate from Jono Greening’s side was immense, as they tackled, blocked and closed down wave after wave of Fylde pressure.

Will Thornton blocked a shot from George Wilson, then tackled Wilson when he burst into the area, Jake Hull’s tackle halted a run from Ormerod, Luca Thomas fired wide, and Ormerod blazed over.

Keeper Ryan Whitley saved at the feet of Ethan Mitchell, Ormerod squared into the area to Mitchell, whose fierce shot forced a superb point-blank save from Whitley, and a Chris Merrie strike was blocked by Michael Duckworth.

In rare Boro attacks, the pacy Theo Chapman twice flashed crosses across the goalmouth, and a Lewis Maloney ball forward sent Chapman racing down the left, but his ball into the area was hacked clear by Max Taylor.

Chapman limped off with a swollen toe, to be replaced for the second half by Alex Brown, back after missing six games with a hamstring injury, and Boro were again under the cosh for long periods.

Tom Whelan fired over, Liam Brockbank drilled narrowly wide, a low Thomas shot was smothered by Whitley, and a Mitchell cross into the area was kicked to safety by Thornton.

Boro’s first goal attempt came on 61 minutes, when a long kick upfield from Whitley found Ste Walker, who laid off to Dom Tear, whose shot was blocked by home skipper Corey Whelan.

Fylde broke the deadlock when Ormerod drove forward and lashed a fierce shot past Whitley, but Boro then drew level with their only shot on target, when Harry Green ran onto a Rio Allan through-ball and was felled on the edge of the area, with Maloney sublimely lifting the free-kick over the wall, and under the crossbar.

The hosts again piled forward, the excellent Hull blocking efforts from Tom Whelan and Joe Ustabasi, Ormerod curled a shot over, and Jack Waldron kicked off the goal-line following a right wing corner from Tom Whelan.

Whitley then tipped away a shot from Alex Healey-Byrne, but from the resulting corner, a scramble ensued, and Ormerod rose to head home to restore their lead.

Boro never gave up, Green and Kieran Weledji went on surging runs, and Tear headed towards Rocco Coyle, whose shot was blocked by Max Taylor. Fylde twice went close late on, an Ormerod was shot was tipped onto the bar by Whitley, and Luke Hunter fired just over.

FYLDE - Jones, Mitchell (Mayor 80), Taylor, Merrie (Hunter 88), Thomas (Lancaster 88), Wilson (Ustabasi 66), Healey-Byrne, Brockbank (McFayden 89), C.Whelan (c), T.Whelan, Ormerod. Unused subs - Boyes (GK), Coates.

BORO - Whitley, Weledji, Duckworth (Allan 67), Hull, Thornton (c), Waldron (Coyle 87), Walker, Tear, Bennett (Green 57), Maloney, Chapman (Brown 46). Uunused subs - Walpole(GK), Gibson-Booth.

REFEREE - Callum Jones.

GOALS - Danny Ormerod (Fylde) 65, 86 Lewis Maloney (Boro) 72.

GOAL ATTEMPTS - FYLDE 20 (7 on target), BORO 3 (1 on target).

CORNERS - FYLDE 10 BORO 0.

OFFSIDES - FYLDE 1 BORO 2.

YELLOW CARDS - Duckworth, Thornton, Weledji, Maloney (Boro).

BORO MAN OF MATCH - Jake Hull.

ATTENDANCE - 1033 (135 away).