Gainsborough Trinity 2 Chorley 1 A GOAL four minutes from time denied Chorley a point from a scrappy ill-tempered game in Lincolnshire.

This was a strange match with a completely uneventful and low-key first half followed by a niggly second period.

In bright sunshine and with a blustery wind both goalkeepers were virtual spectators in the opening 45 minutes. However, early in the second half, Timons' foul on Swailes sparked an ugly free for all which the referee struggled to deal with.

Just before the hour mark a clear foul on Price was not given and in trying to retrieve the situation Allardyce was penalised. The free kick was headed back across goal and Ellender, who looked marginally offside, swept the ball past Marsh.

Jones was then carried off following a quite disgraceful tackle by Gainsborough's Price which didn't even produce a yellow card. As the players sought to administer their own justice, Harold was also fortunate not to find himself first in the showers after clattering into Brown.

With 15 minutes left Chorley equalised when Cain produced a superb cross from the right and Swailes crashed home a magnificent far post header. A draw would have been a fair outcome to this undistinguished match but another debatable free kick enabled Brown to hammer in the winner when the Magpies defence only half cleared.

Last Tuesday's ATS Trophy tie at Lancaster produced last gasp drama. Trailing to a first half goal from Cheal, Chorley looked out as the game went into stoppage time. However, a magnificent solo 40-yard run and delicate chip from substitute Thomson took the game into extra time which produced no further goals.

This Saturday, Chorley will be at home to Gainsborough in a quick return match, while next Tuesday's visitors are Winsford in the League Cup.

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