Words: James Ede, Image: David Airey
CHORLEY fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat at home to Radcliffe in the Enterprise National League North.
Kian Scales’ late winner was enough for the Boro to claim all three points and end the Magpies’ run of two straight victories.
In a cagey game in front of goal for both sides, strike duo Tom Carr and Anjola Popoola struggled to get chances away early on before the visitors fought their way back into the game.
Referee Stuart Morland allowed few challenges to go unpunished in an end-to-end first half.
Warren Clarke came closest to breaking the deadlock before the break, seeing his drilled effort saved by the feet of Mateusz Hewelt.
Taelor O’Kane had several chances in front of goal in the second half, with the biggest opportunity seeing the ball get stuck under his feet in a muddy goalmouth.
The game was won in the 84th minute when Scales let fly from 30 yards out and saw his shot fly past Matt Urwin into the top right corner.
A stoppage time equaliser almost came in the 96th minute through Anjola Popoola, but his effort hit the post before being cleared off the line by Hewelt.
Defeat leaves Chorley in 14th place, now seven points off the play-offs.
