Southport 4 Chorley 1

10:22am Thursday 3rd April 2008

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Two goals from Southport in the space of two minutes just before the interval proved an insurmountable task for Chorley as they went down 4-1 to Southport in the Co-operative Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy final at Leyland last night.

The Magpies gave as good as they got after Mark Drew had levelled on 22 minutes with a cracking 25-yard free kick that cancelled out Tony Gray's 15th-minute opener.

It looked like they would go in at the interval at 1-1 but the Blue Square North side of full-timers turned the game around with goals from Michael Powell and Gray.

Mark Duffy rounded off Southport's win with a penalty five minutes from the end.

It was a brave show from Tony Hesketh's boys, especially after a superb run to the final, knocking out holders Burscough on the way.

Skipper Martin Clark, twice a Lancashire Trophy winner with Southport, was outstanding in the Chorley defence.

Manager Hesketh reflected: "The two quick goals killed us. I thought we were the better side in the first half and I certainly didn't think we were three goals worse than Southport.

"I'd like to say a big thank you to our fans. They were terrific and they also gave us a great reception back at the club."

Arnold Hartley and Peter Dunn were among a number of former Chorley players who attended the final. Arnold, who is now 85, played in the 1943 final and collected a winner's award in 1946. Peter helped the Magpies win the trophy 50 years ago and added two more successes, in 1959 and 1961.