Moors fell to National League North defeat against Chorley after a disappointing night at Victory Park on Tuesday.

Jason Ainsley’s side rarely hit the heights which saw them sweep aside Gloucester City for their biggest win of the season on Saturday – and Chorley took full advantage.

The hosts were in front as early as the fourth minute when some neat football on the edge of the box provided a shooting opportunity for Ollie Shenton who drilled a clinical low finish across Gio Bellagambi and into the bottom right-hand corner.

The dangerous Jon Ustabasi was causing problems for Moors, and he first shot just over the bar on 9 minutes before then dribbling his way to the edge of the box to lay the ball into the path for Billy Whitehouse who fired wide.

There was a further setback for Moors midway through the half when Paul Blackett was forced off with injury and a reshuffle was required.

Isiah Cornet – making his debut after a loan move from Middlesbrough – did well to find space on the right to fizz a cross into the box which was just too high for Glen Taylor and wouldn’t drop for the arriving Reece Kendall at the far post and Chorley were able to clear.

Ustabasi was then found in space on the left side of the area and was only denied a second goal by Bellagambi who stuck out a leg to block well, while Adam Blakeman also tried his luck from long range, but it flew too high.

The second half followed a similar pattern, though Moors did have a couple of attempts on goal when Elliot Forbes saw one shot blocked and then fired another over the bar just afterwards.

However, Ustabasi got the goal he craved on 63 minutes, timing his run into the middle to perfection to divert home a cross from the left and make it 2-0.

There was a potentially pivotal moment not long after when Chorley winger Whitehouse – already on a yellow card – stopped Moors taking a quick free kick and was sent-off.

However, Moors still struggled to break down a resolute Chorley back line and the home side extended their unbeaten start on home soil and collected all three points.

Full Time: Chorley 2 Moors 0

Chorley: Urwin, Smith, Leather, Wilson, Blakeman, Calveley, Whitehouse, Shenton, Sampson (Owens 82), Hall (Nolan 76), Ustabasi.
Subs not used: Tomlinson, Johnson, Schorah.

Booked: Smith (40), Whitehouse (61).

Sent-off: Whitehouse (72).

Moors: Bellagambi, Cousin-Dawson, Ledger, Curtis, Kendall, Forbes (Preston 76), Boyle, Ramshaw, Cornet (Cummings 52), Blackett (Greenfield 25), Taylor.
Subs not used: Flatters, Mouat.

Booked: Boyle (43).

Referee: Michael Crusham

Attendance: 670

Photo Credit: Stefan Willoughby (Chorley FC)