A DISPLAY described by manager Garry Flitcroft as ‘lethargic’ cost Chorley the chance to guarantee a Conference North play-offs place on a day when none of the top five managed a win.

A goal in the second minute of added time ensured safety for Gloucester who became the only side to complete a league double over the Magpies.

In truth only two outstanding saves by Sam Ashton prevented Chorley’s fate in this game being sealed earlier in the second half.

The Magpies were rarely able to dominate a livelier City side whose attacking play often had the visitors’ defence at full stretch.

A soft penalty for a by-line foul on Dale Whitham gave Chorley an 11th-minute tonic, the ever-reliable James Dean scoring from the spot.

But the lead lasted only four minutes. After Chris Doyle had cleared from the jaws of goal with Ashton out of position, Gloucester levelled when Harry Williams’ looping header from a right-wing centre appeared to surprise Ashton and dropped into the net off bar and post.

In a Chorley reprisal, City keeper Paul White fisted clear a stinging drive from Aaron Burns but the home side continued to carry the greater threat and only a smart near-post save by Ashton nullified Williams’ penetrating run on goal.

Chorley improved territorially in the second half but created few shooting chances, Dean firing the best of them over the bar. Gloucester were always dangerous on the break and Ashton bravely closed down the tricky Femi Orenuga with a well-timed dash from goal.

Then James Bowen’s dipping 20-yards’ volley rattled the bar with Ashton well beaten.

Ashton pulled off a stunning point-blank save from Harry White to keep the Magpies on terms but was beaten in the second minute of added time when Tom Webb was given too much freedom and tucked his shot into the corner.