NORTH FERRIBY UTD 4 CHORLEY 1

CHORLEY'S interest in this season's FA Cup failed to survive this first hurdle as a lamentable performance gifted North Ferriby a place in the next round.

After the midweek defeat at Lancaster by the same scoreline the Magpies have now leaked 18 goals in the last five games.

Despite the absence of a number of players through injury, this was an embarrassing exhibition by Chorley against a side that would be flattered to be described as modest.

Before North Ferriby opened the scoring in the 15th minute, Chorley spurned chances with Ross shooting wastefully wide twice and Trundle lifting a chance inches over.

Those misses were to prove costly when Thomas was caught out of position and Harrison broke clear to fire past the exposed Marsh.

Ross screwed another golden opportunity horribly wide, and when Trundle then put him through, Ross failed to find the target after skipping round Sharp.

The keeper made a fine plunging save to keep out a rare shot from Fleming before the home side doubled their lead just before the interval.

Again the danger came initially down the left side of the Magpies' defence with Harrison galloping into acres of space before crossing for Phillips to drive home.

If the first half had been poor, the second half was even worse. The contingent of Chorley fans were, not surprisingly, very disgruntled and their mood was not improved when beleaguered manager Dave Sutton brought himself off the bench.

By now the game was totally sterile with little action as Chorley were repeatedly caught offside, and North Ferriby made it three when Deacy got clear after Trundle had been dispossessed and shot past Marsh after the keeper had blocked his first effort.

With five minutes left, Chorley did break their duck when Ross headed goalwards from outside the area, and with Trundle appearing to unsight Sharp, the ball crawled almost apologetically over the line.

Within a minute, though, it was four when, with the Magpies' defence nowhere in sight, Harrison comfortably headed in from close range to complete a totally unacceptable performance.

This Saturday Chorley travel to league leaders Leek, and next Tuesday entertain Witton Albion.

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