UniBond League Division One
Victory Park, Chorley
Saturday, 11th March 2006, 3.00pm
Point on the road for the Moatmen
Gresley Rovers manager Gary Norton made one change to the starting line-up bringing David Holmes into the squad in place of Steve Gomm.
The visitor's could have got off to a sensational start when a Chorley player clearly handled the ball in his own area within a minute of the start but referee Mr Knee waved away the appeal.
Gresley were on top and from a Gary White corner Matt Millns forced a save out of Phil Priestly with a looping header.
On 17 minutes against the run of play Chorley took the lead. Chris Vermiglio played a fine ball to send John Bluck racing towards goal but the final shot was blocked by a Gresley defender but unfortunately the ball fell kindly for Adam Roscoe who's shot only just beat keeper Tommy Whittle.
Holmes nearly got his side back on terms on 23 minutes when he met Tom Betteridge's cross with a superb header but Priestley managed to grab the ball.
Ten minutes later Chorley went close when Roscoe played a great ball back to Peter Wright but his shot missed the far post by a fraction.
Vermiglio went close to doubling his side's advantage on 50 minutes but again the shot went wide.
Gresley didn't have long to wait to get the equaliser. On 53 minutes Aaron O'Connor beat Shaun Teale for dead down the left before finding Mickey Lyons with a cheeky back heel. Lyons continued to the by-line before returning the ball to O'Connor who smashed the ball past Priestley.
Three minutes later the visitors took the lead. Holmes beat the offside trap running onto O'Connor's through ball but was brought down by Ian Callaghan in the box. Mr Knee did not hesitate and pointed to the spot. O'Connor sent Priestely the wrong way to record his 28th goal of the season.
Gresley had a glorious chance of increasing their lead on 64 minutes when Holmes robbed Martin Clarke of the ball but with only the keeper to beat his shot was saved by Priestley.
Chorley was handed the leveller on 79 minutes when Gresley midfielder Nicky Carter lost possession of the ball and Andy Olsen put a superb ball through to Wright who hit a 20 yard first time shot beating Whittle.
The home side could have snatched all three points right at the end when Roscoe's attempt was tipped over the bar by Whittle.
Manager's View
"I'm both pleased and disappointed with this result.
"It's nice to come away from home and have something pleasing to take from the game. I think we made a scrap of it in the second half, and I think the penalty evened things out because we should have had one in the very first minute.
"I'm disappointed by the fact that we were in a great position, had the ball down in their half and Nicky carter lost possession. Six or seven seconds later the ball is in the back of the net, though it was a great strike. He had to hit it first time otherwise he'd have been closed down.
"Another key moment was when David Holmes wnet through when it was two one but his weak finish was saved."
