CHORLEY FC Women went down 2-0 at home to Brighouse Town Ladies at Victory Park on Sunday.
The hosts started the brighter against their high-flying hosts who finished the day second in the Women's National League Division One North.
Chorley could'n't take advantage of their early superiority though with promising free-kicks being wasted and shots going high and wide.
The Magpies did have the ball in the net late in the first half, Lisa Topping hooking the ball home after a scramble at a free-kick.
Unfortunately for the home side the flag was up for offside.
Beth Donaghue then charged down a clearance from the Brighouse 'keeper only for her effort to go agonisingly wide.
Despite some promising play, the game was ultimately decided either side of half-time.
From a Chorley corner the visitors countered at pace and had a two-on-one advantage, which they made the most of, Charlotte Proud making no mistake to open the scoring.
Then just after the interval it was 2-0.
An error from goalkeeper Rachel Darbyshire early in the second period presented Brighouse with a second as Lavinia Nkomo converted.
The moment was harsh on Darbyshire who made a series of excellent saves to prevent the visitors from extending their advantage further.
A lack of experience in the Chorley ranks showed on the day as they struggled to get themselves out of their defensive third and mount meaningful attacks.
Their best moves came towards the end of the 90 as they created a couple of well-worked half-chances.
But Brighouse stood firm however as they hope to end the season strongly and take the runners-up spot behind champions Burnley.
Chorley, in ninth in the table, have two games of their league campaign remaining, starting at Crewe on April 28. They then to finish their season with a trip to face the Clarets on May 5.
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