Words: Ewan Murray, Image: David Airey
THE ten men of Chorley fought valiantly but came away with nothing in their 2-1 defeat against Darlington.
Goals from Cedric Main and Will McGowan either side of Harry Ibbitson’s finish in the first half were enough for the Quakers to take the three points after Mark Ellis was sent off early in the second half.
The visitors struck first in the 23rd minute, when following a goal kick the ball was played down the right-hand side to Max Howells, who at first viewing looked to be offside, he squared the ball to Main in the box, who could not miss.
Chorley deservedly hit back ten minutes later, a great diagonal ball from Jack Moore found the feet of Tom Carr, the ball was worked into Adam Blakeman who put a lovely cross into the box into Ibbitson who slotted his effort into the bottom corner.
Darlington went back ahead deep into first half stoppage time, another long ball by the keeper Peter Jameson, eventually fell to feet of Main with a slice of luck, laying off to McGowan whose curling effort from range found the top left corner.
Andy Preece’s side’s attempt to make a comeback in the second half was made significantly more difficult when Mark Ellis was sent off for an apparent elbow on Toby Lees.
Despite this there were a few chances that The Magpies will be left to rue, the best of which fell to Carr in the 73rd minute, when some quick thinking by Blakeman from a free kick releasing the striker in behind one-on-one however he placed his effort straight at Jameson in the visitors’ goal.
The Magpies will now turn their attentionstomc to Tuesday evening’s game away to Alfreton Town.
