CHORLEY have it all to do in the FA Trophy semi-final second leg at Victory Park on Saturday after two late goals gave Macclesfield a decisive edge.

The final scoreline was a little hard on the Magpies who more than matched their Conference opponents in what was for the most part a pretty scrappy affair.

Macclesfield looked extremely nervous in the opening stages and looked as though they were set on breaking the world record for the number of throw-ins conceded as passes went astray with monotonous regularity.

Marsh made one smart save to push over a shot by Hulme. But the best chance fell to Chorley when 'keeper Price's weak clearance went straight to Trundle who burst through only to fire inches wide. The Magpies, though, drew first blood when Leitch and McKearney linked on the right for the full back to cross into the box where Hook sent a header flying inside Price's upright.

Marsh made a brilliant save to deny former Chorley striker Power but the Magpies went in for the break deservedly ahead.

Misfortune, though, hit them early in the second half. Critchley carelessly lost the ball in midfield, allowing Lyons to burst clear and drill in a low cross which Thorpe, lunging to clear, diverted into his own net. It was a cruel blow for the Magpies but even so a 1-1 scoreline would have been more than acceptable to Dave Sutton's men.

It looked like that was how it might finish but with six minutes left Lyons again crossed from the right and, from beyond the far post, Coates somehow volleyed home from a seemingly impossible angle.

Within minutes Macclesfield got another, perhaps decisive goal. Collecting the ball from a throw-in Power spun in sharply from the edge of the area and arrowed a magnificent shot into the bottom corner

It's gonna be tough now ...

Providing there is no replay required after Saturday's match Chorley will return to the business of finishing their league programme with a home game against Accrington on Tuesday (April 23).

The Magpies played Matlock Town at Victory Park on Monday night and won 3-2. Steve Hook scored twice and Danny Worthington added to the tally.

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