Chorley boss Shaun Teale defended his players' disciplinary record after four bookings and a 22-man brawl at Fleetwood.

The match saw Chorley players, Chris Thompson, Darryl Allen, Joe Gibbons and Phil Priestley receive yellow cards.

Chorley had been averaging barely one booking a match this season and twice took the UniBond First Division's monthly Fair Play award.

Teale said: "I won't condone arguing with officials and kicking the ball away after free kicks, but when we are in a keenly-fought match we have to get stuck in and make plenty of tackles - that's football."

After the double whammy of an added-time defeat and a dressing-room break-in at Fleetwood, the Magpies will be off to the coast again on Saturday, this time to Colwyn Bay.

Teale's men, who need only one goal to reach the half-century for the season, face a big challenge against a Bay side unbeaten at home, but a win is vital if they hope to sustain a serious challenge to make the end of season promotion play-offs.

They currently lie five points adrift of the final play-off position which is currently occupied by last Saturday's opponents Fleetwood.

Teale said: "It was a sickener to go down in added time. Up to then we did everything right and we were riding out the storm. And there was another great finish from Tommo. The keeper had no right to save Wright's header."

Skipper Jamie Vermiglio, sidelined on Saturday with a hamstring injury, expects to be back, but a defensive reshuffle is likely with the one-match absence of the suspended Martin Clark.

Chorley Fitness, in Chapel Street, has welcomed the first team and reserve squad to use the new state-of-the-art fitness suite. Chorley will be conducting regular training sessions and personal fitness appraisals for players.