Words: Ewan Murray, Image: David Airey
THE ten men of Chorley fought valiantly but came away with nothing in a 2-1 defeat away to Peterborough Sports.
Goals from Luca Miller and Daniel Jarvis were enough for The Turbines to capitalise with the man advantage, despite Tom Carr grabbing the Magpies an equaliser in the first half.
The hosts got off to the better start and in the sixth minute they had their opener, a deflected Adam Henley clearance fell kindly to Miller on the edge of the box and he finished well into the bottom corner.
However, in the 28th minute Chorley found their equaliser, a great touch down by Lucas Weaver into Jack Sampson, the striker worked it brilliantly to Carr who finished excellently into the bottom corner.
Then in the 40th minute the red card came, Kaine Felix was through one-on-one and had rounded Matt Urwin, Henley dived towards the ball and had seemingly pulled off a miraculous block.
The referee however took around 15 seconds and pointed to the spot then, after consultation with his assistant showed Henley a red card for a handball, despite upon second viewing the ball looks to have hit the fullbacks’ foot first before bouncing up onto his arm.
Matt Urwin then pulled off a fantastic save to prevent Ben Beresford’s penalty to keep the sides level going into the break.
Just after the interval though Peterborough got the winner, a nice give and go between Connor Wood and Jarvis and the latter finished well with a curled effort into the top corner.
Andy Preece’s side battled until the very end but just could not find that elusive second goal to mount a comeback, despite Mark Ellis hitting the bar with a thumping effort.
The Magpies will now look to Tuesday’s game against Alfreton Town at the Grant Store Victory Park Stadium, looking to get an important win.
