Words: James Ede, Image: David Airey
CHORLEY were left stunned on Saturday, falling to a late, late defeat at the hands of Buxton on Saturday afternoon.
Warren Clarke and George Pratt turned around the hosts’ 1-0 lead quickly after half-time but two goals in stoppage time gave the Bucks all three points.
Andy Preece made two changes from last week’s 3-3 draw with Oxford City as loanees Pratt and Taelor O’Kane replaced Mark Ellis and Tom Carr after impressive second-half performances against the Hoops.
The hosts controlled early proceedings with winger Luke Brennan looking dangerous but were unable to create any clear-cut chances to test Matt Urwin.
The Magpies fought their way back into the game but fell a goal behind after 36 minutes as Max Bardell headed past Urwin from Brennan’s in-swinging free-kick.
However, the visitors equalised almost immediately after half-time as Clarke made it 1-1 in the 51st minute, firing into the bottom left corner after the ball dropped to him from a corner.
The game slowed down with chances limited for both sides until defender Pratt popped up to take the lead with 10 minutes left.
Buxton failed to clear a corner and the ball fell to the Blackburn Rovers loanee who smashed it past Paul Cooper in goal.
The Magpies held on until injury time but conceded two late goals from a Brennan penalty and a 97th-minute finish from George Ward.
Andy Preece's side will look to bounce back quickly when they travel to local rivals Southport on Tuesday night.
