Opening goal - Josh Walker celebrates
(Image: Lucy Copsey)
By Chris Phillips. Chief sports reporter.
AFC Fylde boss Kevin Phillips thought Southend United’s opening goal in their 2-0 win against his side should not have been allowed.
Josh Walker fired the Shrimpers in front on the stroke of half-time at Roots Hall.
But Phillips felt the Blues forward fouled Ethan Mitchell in the build up to his goal.
“We believe it’s a foul on Ethan,” Phillips told the club's Twitter account.
“I’ve seen it back and the ref is right there but he doesn’t give it.
“We let the player just drive at us though and we don’t engage.
“We let him shoot and it goes in the bottom corner.
“It came at a time where we’re thinking can we get in at half-time, calm them down and give them some messages for the second half so it was disappointing to concede.”
However, Phillips admitted to being impressed by Blues.
“Southend are a good side and they showed that tonight,” said the former Sunderland striker.
“I think the started very brightly, they were on the front foot, had lots of energy and caused us problems.
“We struggled to cope with their shape at the beginning too.
“We figured it out and got the message onto the pitch.
“I said to the coaching team it was about staying in the game and trying to get a foothold ourselves.”
Fylde made the match more even in the second half.
But Phillips was frustrated the Coasters did not make more of their entries into the final third before handing Blues their second goal of the night with Emeka Obi heading into the back of his own net.
“In the second half I thought we had more of a foothold in the game,” said Phillips.
“Yes, they still caused us some issues but we had some good opportunities and got into good areas but we haven’t punished them.
“From our point of view, their second goal we don’t stop the cross.
“The body position for the cross isn’t right and unfortunately it’s an own goal.
“We’re really disappointed but I have to say Southend are a very good team.”
The defeat kept Fylde third from bottom on the table but Phillips is now turning his attentions towards Saturday’s clash with Oldham Athletic.
"What we have to do now is not feel sorry for ourselves," said Phillips.
"We’ll dust ourselves down and be ready for a huge game on Saturday.