CHORLEY manager John Hughes slammed his team's performance in their FA Cup defeat at Gateshead as 'a disgrace' but insists he will not walk out on the club.

The 4-1 defeat ended the Magpies' hopes of extending a financially lucrative cup run which had seen them enjoy impressive victories against Bacup and Guiseley.

Their cup form had previously been the one bright spot in a poor opening to the season which has left them third from bottom in the Unibond Division One table following a run of seven straight defeats in the league.

The cup defeat has led to speculation that Hughes is to return to his former club Great Harwood who sacked their manager Dave Bradford last week and are currently bottom of North West Counties Division One.

Hughes said: "I've set my stall out with Chorley and I'm not going to give up that easily. The board have said I'm under no pressure and I think we can build a decent team here, but it will take time."

Speaking of the FA Cup defeat Hughes said: "It was bad enough getting beat but what made it worse was that I didn't think Gateshead were a good side.

"To be honest, we weren't just disappointing - we were a disgrace, especially after the recent performances when the players had proved they are capable of putting on Chorley shirts.

"Jamie Vermiglio was the exception with yet another man of the match display. He certainly deserved his goal.

"It was a terrific disappointment going out of the cup, especially after we had done so well in our matches in earlier rounds against Bacup and Guiseley.

"This time we were just not good enough, though, so we must turn in improved performances if we are to make real progress in the UniBond League.

"I want the players to raise their game 100 per cent - nothing less will do.

"We are facing an uphill task but this is something Mickey Graham and I expected when we came back to the club this summer.

"Having to rebuild a squad virtually from scratch is never an easy job and Mickey and I believe we will get things right. We just have to get on with it.

"The task at Chorley was always going to take time, but right now we really need a win - followed by more success.

"If we get a win the lads' confidence will get better and hopefully things will go on from there."

The Magpies were taking on Clitheroe at Victory Park last night before travelling to meet Stocksbridge Park Steels in the FA Trophy preliminary round on Saturday. A trip, to Radcliffe in November, awaits the winners.

Mossley, back in the UniBond League after nine years, will be the visitors to Victory Park on Tuesday.

Hughes added that on-field discipline needed tightening up but things had gone wrong mainly through frustration. Goalkeeper John Gillies, and defenders Jason Jones and Mattie Woods have all been shown red cards, one in each of Chorley's last three home games.

The Magpies have lost young Dougie Pitts for the foreseeable future as he has gone to university, which is taking up virtually all his time.

Hughes said: "Dougie has done a good job for us and has played in the last eight matches since he came into the first team."

Former Chorley manager Mark Molyneaux has been appointed player-boss at Rossendale United .