Chorley 2, Droylsden 3

CHORLEY slipped to their third consecutive home defeat in this Unibond League Challenge Cup group stage match of fluctuating fortunes.

Premier Division Droylsden capitalised on sloppy defending after only three minutes, the unmarked John Stannard easily converting a right wing centre. And only a brilliant reflex save by Simon Marsh prevented Carl Holmes from doubling the visitors' lead.

Droylsden were firmly in charge at this stage but on 24 minutes Chorley were handed a lifeline when defender Dave Ashton, under pressure from David Eatock, steered an attempted back pass into his own net.

Within a minute Neil Mitchell and Paul Fleming both failed to put away presentable chances from Matt Swailes' precise cross. The Magpies did however take the lead in the 35 minute from a penalty when Eatock was tripped and Danny Mills' spot kick brought him his tenth goal of the season.

Droylsden could find no way back in the first 20 minutes of the second half as Chorley took a grip on the game but then superb individual goals by Aeon Lattie, who finished a determined run with a thunderous 20 yard drive, put the visitors in better heart.

Eatock missed a glorious chance teeed up by Mitchell to regain the initiative for Chorley, his powerful shot ricocheting off a defender for an unproductive corner. It was typical of Chorley's season to date that they were made to pay when, following Tony Rigby's quickly taken free kick, Marsh made a smart stop from Paul Heavey but was helpless to prevent substitute Stuart Corns from cracking in the rebound.