Joe Maguire’s free-kick with the last kick off the ball completed a superb turnaround for Fleetwood Town as they beat FK Jablonec 2-1 in Kossen.
Matej Hanousek had given the Czech Premier Division side the lead midway through the second half, but subs Maguire and Ashley Hunter both scored in the last five minutes to win the game.
Uwe Rosler made six changes from Tuesday’s narrow friendly loss against Karlsruher. In came Alex Cairns, Nathan Pond, Victor Nirrenold, Amari’i Bell, Markus Schwabl and Jordy Hiwula.
Town had all the play in the first half with Cairns not forced into a save. George Glendon caused problems with his set piece delivery, whilst Hiwula and Conor McAleny looked lively in attack for Rosler’s side.
Hiwula had the ball in the next nine minutes before the break, but it was ruled out for offside after Vlastimil Hruby kept out McAleny’s initial effort. The sides went in level at the break.
A flurry of changes followed, and soon after the hour mark Hanousek burst forward from left back and curled an effort past sub goalkeeper Chris Neal from all of 25 yards.
The Cod Army weren’t giving though, as Wes Burns went close five minutes from time but Hruby kept him out with a strong hand at his near post.
Then came the equaliser. Harvey Rodgers’ long ball was just kept in play by Lewie Coyle, whose cross in turn found Hunter who didn’t fluff his lines from six yards.
Maguire was then fouled right on the edge of the area with the full-time whistle looming. The 70 strong Town fans chanted ‘if we score we’re on the pitch’ and Maguire curled a low free-kick past Hruby and the fans kept their side on the deal.
Fans on the pitch, a last minute winner and a Fleetwood Town win. It may only be pre-season, but it’s nice to get that winning feeling back.
Town: Cairns (Neal 60’), Bolger, Pond (Rodgers 60’), Eastham, Nirennold (Coyle 60’), Bell (Maguire 85’), Glendon (Dempsey 45’), Schwabl (Sowerby 60’), McAleny (Burns 57’), Grant (Hunter 60’), Hiwula (Cole 45’).