Brackley remain in 2nd place and AFC Fylde in 4th after this narrow win for Saints as the race for automatic promotion and play-off places hots up. A tight, frenetic, goal-less first half gave way to a more open second period with the game settled by Shep Murombedzi’s screamer on 72 minutes.

“Everybody had a great game today and we knew that would have to be the case in going toe to toe with a very good, full-time side,” Saints manager Kevin Wilkin said. “The goal that separated the sides is worthy of winning any game. The power he got on the shot and the control is a great moment for him and the team. We have come through a difficult time with injuries and credit to the boys who have dug in and worked hard. We passed it well today and asked questions of Fylde and just about deserved to win the game.”

Murombedzi’s first half free-kick, well saved by Chris Neal, was the closest either side came to a goal before the break. Brackley’s Danny Lewis on his 200th appearance for the club was out sharply to smother a moment of danger from Danny Whitehead and The Coasters had a penalty appeal waved away. But in the second half the goal chances were aplenty and largely for the home side as both sides looked to make the break-through.

Brackley top scorer Lee Ndlovu ran on to Jimmy Armson’s perfectly weighted through pass and hit his first-time shot just too high and moments later saw his close range header pawed away by Neal. Emeka Obi headed off the line before Murombedzi’s wonderful strike gave the home side a deserved lead. The Brackley midfielder hit the volley sweetly through a crowded penalty area giving Neal no chance for his first goal of the season.

Nick Haughton twice threatened for Fylde in the later stages but Saints were not to be denied. The win is Brackley’s 17th clean sheet in 26 league games – more than any team in the top 6 tiers of English football and puts a gap of 10 points between the sides who remain separated by 2 places in the table.

“It was a tight game,” Coasters’ manager Jim Bentley said. “Once Brackley get their nose in front they are hard to break down. There wasn’t much in the game but ultimately it was settled on a moment of brilliance. It was a fantastic strike on the edge of the box and sometimes that’s what settles a big game. There’s a long way to go and while this makes it a bit more difficult for us we just need to get back to winning ways.”

Brackley Town: Lewis, Cullinane-Liburd, Dyche, Murombedzi, Lomas, Dean, Lowe, Armson, Ndlovu, York, Walker. Subs unused: Rolt, Putz Yusuf, Myles, Richards.

AFC Fylde: Neal, Pike (Evans 86), Obi, Davis, Conlan, Joyce (Tollitt 76), Philliskirk, Whitehead, Shaw, Haughton, Walker (Slew 69). Subs unused: Jones, Stott.

Referee: Sam Mulhall Assistants: Jake Allsopp and Matthew Perry

Attendance: 783