Fylde suffered a crucial blow to their promotion hopes when they were held to a 0-0 Vodkat League Premier Division draw at home to Newcastle Town.

In a game of few clear-cut chances, Fylde's Richie Allen had the best opportunity in the final minute when he fired his shot over the bar.

Fylde's goal was threatened early on when Ian Willis's free-kick was pushed away by goalkeeper Nathan Worrell.

For the remainder of the half the home side created the better chances.

After Mark Wane's shot on the turn was saved by Newcastle keeper Danny Read, Chris Downey almost capitalised on a mix up between Read and his centre-half Ryan Dicker, but the keeper recovered to save Downey's shot.

On 27 minutes Richie Allen was unlucky when he did well to connect with a cross to the far post, but his volley from 12 yards flew over.

Six minutes from half-time, defender Matt Lawler's firm header from a corner on the right was pushed away by the keeper.

After the break, the game developed into a tense battle with neither side able to get on top, but chances began to arrive as the game entered the latter stages.

With 15 minutes remaining, Joe Booth rose to power a header towards goal from Jerome Watt's cross, but the ball was scrambled away at the post.

Six minutes from time, Fylde keeper Worrell failed to collect a corner into the box, and the ball fell to Newcastle striker Chris Budrys, who attempted to chip the ball over the keeper into the far corner, but the ball rebounded off the crossbar.

Fylde could have claimed all three points when Wane set up Allen inside the box, but with only the keeper to beat from 10 yards, Allen blazed his shot high over the bar.

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