A WAYWARD six-minutes spell just before half-time proved costly for Chorley as they went down to a 2-0 defeat against National League North relegation-battlers Telford.

The Magpies shipped two goals at this point as former Burnley and Manchester United teen starlet John Cofie curled home a delightful shot and then Lucas Dawson netted a penalty on the stroke of half-time.

The spot-kick award was doubly disastrous as a moment of hotheadedness by Andy Teague, who pushed Josh Wilson in the face after an off-the-ball incident, prompted the referee to show the Chorley skipper a straight red card.

After that the visitors who enjoyed the better of the first half-hour could find no way back and Telford ran out comfortable winners at the end of an uneventful second half.

A brave reflex save by Sam Ashton in the opening minutes denied Connor McCarthy who was to feature prominently in Telford’s most productive work.

But Chorley hit back and home keeper James Montgomery had to turn round the post a speculative curling effort from distance by Dale Whitham.

Paul Jarvis whipped in a teasing cross which had Montgomery struggling but flew just over the bar and in another raid Kiel O’Brien headed narrowly over. Later Jordan Connerton had a sighting of goal but dragged his shot wide. Telford came more into the picture and Teague had to block a Wilson shot in the jaws of goal with Ashton out of position.

Moments later (39 minutes) Cofie fastened onto a misplaced ball to beat Ashton from the edge of the box and the half ended with Dawson sending Ashton the wrong way from the penalty-spot.

Chorley were left to chase the game unsuccessfully after the break and it was Telford who twice could have extended their lead but for good saves by Ashton from Wilson and later the busy McCarthy, Kiel O’Brien blocking Cofie’s attempt to convert the loose ball in the latter instance.

There was one late scare for Telford when Whitham’s corner almost sneaked in, Montgomery just getting a hand on the ball in time.

But over the ninety minutes Chorley, showing little punch up front, could have no complaints about the result.

Manager Matt Jansen was keen afterwards to praise his side’s spirited second-half performance.

Jansen said: "A poor end to the first half has cost us.

"The players kept working extremely hard with ten men and never stopped running but in the end the handicap was just too much."

Meanwhile, midfielder Tom Field has been released by mutual consent.

Field only joined the Magpies in late December but has been unable to force his way into the side and has been let go to enable him to find regular first team football elsewhere.

The club said they would like to wish Tom all the best in the future.