Moors long unbeaten run on home soil came to an end on Saturday as Chorley triumphed 2-1 at The Brewery Field to move top of the National League North table.
Mike Calveley’s powerful header five minutes from time proved the decisive moment as Andy Preece’s men became the first team to triumph on Moors’ patch since the beginning of January.
It was the visitors who settled better into the contest and they moved in front midway through the first half when Adam Blakeman’s free-kick into the box wasn’t dealt with and Michael Ledger’s header looped over Brad James and into the net for an own goal.
Chorley will have felt unfortunate not to have extended their lead before the break too. Mark Ellis sent a wonderful header just wide of the upright, Adam Henley volleyed a decent chance off-target and then Calveley drew a fine save from James as the visitors dominated.
However, Graeme Lee’s half time words had an impact, and Moors began to get a foothold in the second half, culminating in a leveller on 61 minutes when Will Harris squared for Matty Dolan to slot home from just inside the box.
The goal saw the momentum swing in Moors favour and they were almost in front when Rob Ramshaw’s prodded effort clipped the top of the cross bar on its way over.
Chorley skipper Matt Urwin was then forced into an outstanding save to deny substitute Corey McKeown when the ball had broken kindly for the winger following more good work from Harris.
However, it was The Magpies who found the third goal of the match when a left-wing corner was swung into the area and midfielder Calveley met it was a meaty header which flashed into the net for 2-1.
Full Time: Moors 1 Chorley 2
Moors: James, Ledger, Rowe, Beals (McKeown 46), Staunton, Dolan, Ross, Dyson, Ramshaw, Fletcher, Harris (Mondal 75).
Subs not used: Johnson, Myers, McGinley.
Booked: Staunton (15)
Chorley: Urwin; Henley, Ellis (Wilson 46), Smith, Blakeman, Calveley, Horbury, Clarke, Eze (Carr 83), Hewitt (Moors 75), Touray.
Subs not used: Bird, Brindle.
Referee: Lewis Dawson
Attendance: 1,207
