The Magpies’ interest in the FA Trophy evaporated in alarming fashion, extending their winless sequence to ten games.
Early missed chances, individual errors and ultimately poor game-management resulted in a quite preventable defeat when Chorley could, and should, have been three goals to the good at half-time.
This outcome nullified a truly spectacular goal fit to win any match, Milan Malkovic rifling a thunderous 30-yards’ shot into the net on the half-hour. But within a minute, the visitors were thrown a lifeline when Scott Wilson unaccountably diverted a low cross into his own net - all this after two clear chances were missed in the opening minutes.
Tom Walker put a simple header over the bar following an incisive build-up in the first minute, then Malkovic failed to covert an inviting low centre when unchallenged.
He made amends by putting Chorley back in front just before the hour. Tom Carr was bundled over in the box and took the penalty himself only to hit the post. However Malkovic was on hand with intelligent anticipation to fire the rebound high into the net.
Worksop took time to recover but they drew level on 72 minutes. Indecision by Matt Urwin in trying to shepherd the ball out of play led to a corner which was not cleared and Luke Waterfall found the net from short range. Clearly boosted by the leveller, the visitors proceeded to dominate and the Magpies looked increasingly vulnerable.
Reinforcements were only belatedly introduced (defensive lynchpin Mark Ellis entering the fray with only eight minutes to play and striker Harry Ibbitson with just three minutes to go.)
Then on 88 minutes Worksop claimed the ticket to the third round. Again a corner undid the home defence and substitute Chae Whitham - Brown fired beyond Urwin.
Chorley’s current plight owes much to the absence of key players but their renowned defensive stability has somehow deserted them and strengthening the squad must now be an urgent priority.
Chorley : Urwin, S.Wilson, Smith, Nolan (Ellis 82), Calveley, Carr, Clarke (Ibbitson 87),Moore, Walker, Lalkovic, M.Wilson. Unused subs. Henley, Bird, Drench.
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