CHORLEY’s FA Trophy replay with FC United of Manchester tonight could be in doubt with a pitch inspection planned for this morning.

The Magpies are due to face the Red Rebels at the Tameside Stadium for a spot in the third round of the trophy after the two sides played out a pulsating 3-3 draw in front of 2,234 spectators at Victory Park on Saturday afternoon.

The winners of the second round replay will host AFC Fylde or AFC Telford in the next round, but heavy rain has put tonight’s tie in doubt according to Magpies chairman Ken Wright.

“I am led to believe that there are doubts about the game dependent upon the weather conditions,” he revealed.

“I think there is a ground examination because they have had a problem with standing water at one end in the goalmouth area.”

Karl Marginson’s side are currently sixth in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier and they played their part in a superb advert for non-league football at the weekend.

They came from 2-0 down to lead 3-2, only to see Chorley score late on to force a replay.

“It was absolutely fantastic,” said Wright.

“For a neutral, what a fantastic game of football: six goals, some great goals scored and a great advertisement for non-league football in our area.

“We were happy that it was so well-supported and both clubs get to fight another day.”

Should the game go ahead, the chairman does not expect it to be easy for Garry Flitcroft’s men - the hosts have lost just once at home all season, and have won eight of their last nine games at Tameside in all competitions, scoring 22 times.

But Chorley themselves have lost only one of their last 10 fixtures, giving Wright every confidence that the Conference North outfit can get the job done at the second time of asking.

“It will be a difficult game for us; we know that FC United are a decent side,” he said.

“I don’t necessarily think that the home advantage is important as they have been playing their home games all over the place this year before moving into their new stadium.”

Reacting to the news of the third round draw, the former Magpies manager was happy with the outcome, but is refusing to look past tonight’s opponents.

“I am happy with the draw but our first priority is to win the replay so we can’t start to think about the next round until we have done that.

“It is a great incentive for us because we’ve got the home tie,” he added.

“Our history with AFC Fylde over the last few seasons has been very competitive.

“They have beaten us and we have beaten them.

“If it is Telford then they are from a higher league so we get to put ourselves up against a club from the Conference.”

With the winners of the tie moving into the last 16 and receiving £6,000 from the FA’s prize fund, the importance of winning the tie is heightened - something which the chairman acknowledges.

“Any source of income is important and it would be more than welcome but we have to do the job in the replay,” he said.