Sam Lavelle’s late goal earned United a huge three points as they moved off the bottom of the Sky Bet League Two table.
United made three changes from last weekend’s defeat to Bradford City - Paul Dummett, Cedwyn Scott and Josh Williams all made their first starts for the club, replacing Ben Barclay, Elliot Embleton and Stephen Wearne.
Cedwyn Scott netted the only goal of the first-half at the far post, before Ronan Coughlan restored parity for the Cod Army in thunderous fashion in the second 45.
In the moments that remained, the contest hung in the balance and it was Sam Lavelle who would find the net with five minutes remaining, sending the Cumbrians back north with a vital victory.
The Blues were dealt a low bow in the opening exchanges as Paul Dummett was forced to be withdrawn through injury only five minutes into his debut, and was replaced by the returning Terell Thomas.
On 11 minutes, Jordan Jones had the best chance of the contest so far as the ball fell to his feet on the edge of the area after being cut back by Kadeem Harris, but his attempt went flying over Jay Lynch’s crossbar.
On his first start since returning to the Cumbrians, Cedwyn Scott found the net on 19 minutes to open the scoring, turning the ball home at the far post after Harris hammered low across goal.
Ronan Coughlan came close to turning Jones’ free-kick into the back of his own net but Fleetwood’s ‘keeper managed to make the required save.
Phoenix Patterson looked to make an imprint on the game for the hosts, looking to cause issues a number of times down the hosts’ left, Gabe Breeze claimed his best effort as the fixture started to near the break.
In stoppage time at the end of the first-half, a tremendous ball found Jones down the left, who looked to find Hugill, but the forward was unable to get the connection he was after and the ball landed off target.
HALF-TIME: Fleetwood Town 0-1 United
Fleetwood substitute Kian Harratt looked to get involved in front of goal immediately, however, Sam Lavelle was on hand to hook away the danger.
Three minutes into the second-half, the Cod Army looked to catch Mike Williamson’s side on the break, Josh Williams showed brilliant endeavour to sprint back and clear.
Moments later, the Blues should’ve made it two. Kadeem Harris broke away with the ball and found Callum Whelan, who set the ball back to the man who started the move and he blasted over the bar in front of the away end.
Mark Helm looked to find the leveller from distance at the opposite end after drifting inside, but it was no threat to United’s goal.
In a five-minute spell following the hour-mark, a number of changes ensued, which included former United man, Harrison Neal, replacing Matty Virtue for Fleetwood.
Mackenzie Hunt had the hosts’ next chance on goal as they continued to push to restore parity - his effort also went flying over.
Before Ronan Coughlan found the net, smashing home to level proceedings on 70 minutes, leaving the United ‘keeper with no chance.
Coughlan was forced off with an injury following his equaliser and his replacement, Danny Mayor, almost gave Fleetwood the lead soon after, but his effort landed wide of Breeze’s right-hand post.
With eight minutes of regular time remaining, Jones sent in a low cross to Hugill, who lifted the ball over from close range.
The striker would turn provider soon after, finding himself through before setting to the right to Harris, whose shot was saved for a corner.
The resulting set-piece found its way to Lavelle, who found the back of the net in unusual fashion - his initial header was saved before it bounced back off the centre-back, hit the post and then went over the line. Unbelievable scenes in the away end behind the goal followed.
FULL-TIME: Fleetwood Town 1-2 United
Teams:
Fleetwood Town - Lynch, Wiredu ©, Bolton, Bonds. Virtue (64’ Neal), Broom (65’ Hunt), Bennett (72’ Rooney), Helm, Coughlan (73’ Mayor), Potter (46’ Harratt), Patterson
Unused subs - Hewitson, Hughes
United - Breeze, Lavelle ©, Jones, Dummett (5’ Thomas), Hugill, Scott (62’ Embleton), McArthur, Williams (86’ Harper), Harris, Patching (61’ Fusire), Whelan
Unused subs - Lewis, Robson, Ellis
Goals:
Fleetwood Town - (70’ Coughlan)
United - (19’ Scott), (85’ Lavelle)
Yellow cards:
Fleetwood Town - (18’ Wiredu), (24’ Adam Temple - coach), (44’ Potter), (56’ Bennett), (90+2’ Rooney)
United - (23’ Patching), (24’ Ian Watson - coach), (70' Embleton), (89’ Hugill), (90+1 Breeze)
Red cards:
Fleetwood Town - N/A
United - N/A
Match officials:
Referee - Matt Corlett
Assistant Referee - Mark Ryder
Assistant Referee - Danny Jarvis
Fourth Official - Conor Brown
Attendance:
3,517 (1,087 away)
