AFC Fylde earn replay in FA Vase

Fuller's AFC Fylde are still aiming for a second consecutive Wembley final

AFC Fylde face a replay at home to old rivals Needham Market after extra-time failed to separate the sides in their goalless FA Vase fourth round tie in Suffolk.

Fylde knocked the Ridgeons League side out of the same competition at the semi-final stage last season.

A heavy pitch made life difficult for both sides and Needham Market, with former Manchester City star Kevin Horlock pulling the strings in midfield, started well.

Lively striker Craig Parker had two early efforts, finding the back of the net in the 17th minute but the goal was flagged as offside by the assistant referee.

When we got in behind them once or twice I thought we might be able to sneak it

AFC Fylde boss Mick Fuller

Fylde hit back and after a Phil Robinson header was deflected over the bar, Phil Blackwell tested the home keeper Liam Jones with a shot from the edge of the box.

The best chance of the first half arrived in the 35th minute when the Fylde defence failed to deal with a cross into the box, with Needham Market's Pat Bexfield volleying wide of the post from eight yards.

The opening 20 minutes of the second half produced little in the way of chances for either side, and both managers made substitutions in an attempt to freshen up their attacks.

But with less than 15 minutes remaining, Fylde's created two great chances in the space in 60 seconds.

Needham Market keeper Liam Jones made a fine double save from Mark Wane and Richie Allen, and then almost straight away he grabbed a Phil Robinson header from under the crossbar.

However Jones was beaten by a shot on the turn from last season's Wembley hero Matt Walwyn, but the ball shaved the outside of the post and hit the side netting.

You have to say it's a good result away from home against a good side

AFC Fylde boss Mick Fuller

The first period of extra time saw plenty of midfield action with neither keeper being tested, but the second period produced heart stopping moments for both sides.

Needham Market's assistant manager and former Northern Ireland international Horlock kept his side in the tie with two goal-line clearances in as many minutes.

Fylde had a lucky escape five minutes from the end of extra time, when a low driven corner from Bexfield flew across the six-yard box without a player from either side getting a touch on the ball.

Afterwards AFC Fylde boss Mick Fuller said he was satisfied with his side's performance.

"It was a tough game and I thought it was a good display from both teams, especially on that pitch. I wouldn't like to have played on that, it was bad enough walking across it.

"We had some reasonable chances to win the game, and when we got in behind them once or twice I thought we might be able to sneak it.

"But we also had a let off right at the end when the ball went right across the face of the goal, under our defender's foot, and could have ended up anywhere.

"I'm pleased at the way we defended set pieces, and with the way we competed, and I couldn't have asked much more of the players. You have to say it's a good result away from home against a good side."

The replay takes place at Kellamergh Park on Saturday at 1500 GMT, and will be played to a finish with extra time and penalties if necessary.