Words: Pete Tscherewik, Images: David Airey
CHORLEY fought back to earn themselves a well-deserved point in Oxfordshire thanks to second-half goals from Mike Calveley and Craig Hewitt having been two goals behind at half-time.
The Magpies came undone inside the opening four minutes of the game, Andre Burley capitalising on a slack, attempted clearance by Matt Urwin that left the former to calmly curl the ball home into an empty net.
Andy Preece's side looked to get back into the game quickly and Rylee Mitchell was forced into a smart save to deny Adam Blakeman from range.
Urwin then had work to do in goal, an excellent save to deny the hosts from a quick counter-attack but barely three minutes later, Chorley found themselves two goals behind, Corie Andrews slamming home from inside the area after a smart cross in from the right flank.
The Magpies hit the crossbar right before half-time through Mark Ellis but found themselves with a mountain to climb at the break.
Andy Preece's side came out firing after the restart and went close twice through Ellis and Jack Sampson as pressure began to mount on the hosts.
Before the hour mark and Mike Calveley gave the Magpies a lifeline, tapping in from close range after Ellis hit the crossbar once again from a corner.
Mike Calveley celebrates his for the Magpies (David Airey)
A turning point then came in the game with 16 minutes left to go, Andrews given his marching orders having taken too long to leave the pitch in the eyes of the referee.
Barely three minutes after that and Chorley were back on level terms, Craig Hewitt scoring his second goal of the season after an excellent flick through into his path from Momodou Touray to earn themselves a well deserved point in Oxfordshire.
Goals: Burley (4'), Andrews (29'), Calveley (58'), Hewitt (77').
Bookings: Andrews (40'), Horbury (74'), Burley (86'), Hewitt (86'), Calveley (90+3').
Dismissal: Andrews (74').
Chorley: Urwin, Henley (Bird, 89'), Smith, Ellis, Blakeman, Rice (Calveley, 46'), Horbury, Nolan, Hewitt, Carr, Sampson (Touray, 72)
UP NEXT: We travel over to Brackley Town on Tuesday night.
