Nick Haughton’s very early opening goal was just as quickly cancelled out by James McShane in a lightning start to the game, and the hosts continued in that spirit for much of the remainder of the opening forty-five. Countering at speed and flooding the Wanderers half numerous times with bodies, goals from attackers Luke Charman and Jon Ustabasi had the home side 3-1 up at the break and it may have been more had it not been for Male making a number of top stops.

The goalkeeper remained in fine form throughout the second half, but a trio of changes from Marc White in and around the interval added to an improved, resolute team effort, and through Josh Taylor’s strike and another instinctive finish from McShane, Wanderers came away from the north west with a point, a first picked up in front of the TV cameras.

Tony Craig returned to the defensive line as Marc White opted for a back four, the change in shape accompanied by two other changes from last Saturday’s win against Boreham Wood as Niall McManus and James McShane both also came back into the starting eleven.

Taelor O’Kane had already scuffed an effort wide of target in the hosts rapid start to the game, and on three minutes the scoring was opened with Nick Haughton firing home clinically after quick build up play down the left.

With their first venture forward though, Wanderers got back on terms, Francomb floating a free kick towards the back post which Hollis managed to head down, McShane fastest on the scene to stab the ball in from close range.

Male was called into action punching Haughton’s effort away before coming out well from goal to deny O’Kane,  but on the half-hour Chris Beech’s side managed to restore their lead, Connor Barrett drilling in a low cross from near the corner flag which was turned home by Luke Charman at the near post.

A few minutes later, the lead was extended; Wanderers punished for giving the ball away in an attacking area as Fylde countered at pace, Haughton finishing the move by providing for Jon Ustabasi to calmly slot the ball into the back of the net from several yards out.

Harry Ottaway had come on in the latter stages of the first half, and shortly after the restart Luke Moore and Dan Gallagher also entered the field of play as Marc White looked to strengthen the spine of his side, but Male again kept Wanderers in the contest as Fylde pressed on. The keeper made an excellent reaction save at close range before making an even better one moments later to deny O’Kane, deftly tipping the attacker’s shot onto the crossbar after he faced up Male one-on-one following an impressive dribble from midfield.

Further impressive stops to deny Barrett from range and Haughton after another mazy run followed before Wanderers managed to pull one back through Josh Taylor; McShane keeping the the ball alive and Francomb playing the short pass inside to tee up Taylor, who’s shot had enough power to get through Theo Richardson despite the keeper getting a hand to it.

And less than ten minutes from time, Wanderers got back on terms; Francomb again involved and going mighty close to scoring himself as his free kick cannoned back off off the crossbar, McShane again fastest to react though by nodding the ball over the line, to an eruption of noise and celebration from the travelling Wanderers supporters gathered at that end of Mill Farm.

Hanging on through very late pressure, Wanderers survived the minimum four added minutes to register their second away draw of the season and build on last week’s win over Boreham with another point.

Another trip to the north west follows next Saturday for Wanderers with Altrincham the hosts in a 3pm kick off at The J. Davidson Stadium.

AFC Fylde: 1 Theo Richardson, 4 Harry Davis (c), 9 Luke Charman, 10 Nick Haughton (29 Danny Ormerod 75′), 14 Josh Kay (7 Joe Rowley 58′), 15 Sam Graham, 17 Connor Barrett, 19 Jon Ustabasi, 21 Max Conway, 22 Nelson Khumbeni (16 Keiran Glynn 70′), 34 Taelor O’Kane

Unused Subs: 5 Emeka Obi, 11 Gold Omotayo,

Goals: Haughton 3′, Charman 31′, Ustabasi 35′

Yellow Card: O’Kane 80′

Dorking Wanderers: 1 Harrison Male, 4 Dan Pybus, 5 Tony Craig, 6 Niall McManus (24 Harry Ottaway 32′), 7 Jimmy Muitt, 10 Alfie Rutherford (18 Luke Moore 46′), 11 James McShane, 17 Josh Taylor, 19 Haydn Hollis, 22 Barry Fuller (c) (20 Dan Gallagher 48′), 37 George Francomb

Unused Subs: 3 Bobby-Joe Taylor, 12 Callum Kennedy

Goals: McShane 6′, 81, Taylor 69′

Yellow Card: Moore 47′

Referee: Dale Baines

Attendance: 1043

Official TNT Sports Man Of The Match: Harrison Male