Chorley boss left with sense of deja vu in weekend loss
Andy Preece admitted it felt ‘horrible’ to once again see his side concede in the final five minutes for the second match running.
The Magpies have begun the new National League North season with successive 2-1 defeats.
On the opening day against Chester at Victory Park, a goal from Billy Waters in the 87th minute condemned Chorley to defeat.
It was a similar tale on Saturday as pre-season title favourites South Shields claimed all the points courtesy of Paul Blackett’s 86th-minute strike at Shaftesbury Avenue.
Jack Hazlehurst had given Chorley an early lead from the penalty spot and the Magpies had further opportunities in the first period to extend their lead. However, the Mariners began to turn the screw after the break and equalised in the 76th minute through Adam Campbell, before Blackett’s late winner sealed matters for the hosts.
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Losing their opening couple of league games in such fashion is a bitter pill to swallow for Preece and his men but the Magpies boss insists their respective performances gives them heart for the future.
“It’s probably the best that we have played (at South Shields),” Preece told Chorley FC TV.
“The last two times we have come here, we have been soundly beaten but on Saturday that wasn’t the case, it was totally different.
“Our goalkeeper Li-Bau Stowell has not too many saves to make. It didn’t feel like they built so much pressure that you felt they were going to score.
“It's another horrible one to concede in the last five minutes but if we perform like we have in the first two games, then there’s a lot for us to look forward to.”
Chorley will aim to put their first points on the board when they travel to Marine tonight ahead of the home game against Scarborough Athletic on saturday.
“Marine is always a tough place to go,” Preece said. “If we repeat the performance against South Shields, then we have a good chance of being successful.”
Tuesday's fixtures – National League North: Hednesford Town v Southport, Marine v Chorley, Morecambe v South Shields; NPL Premier: Curzon Ashton v Bamber Bridge, Redcar Athletic v Lancaster City; NPL West: Clitheroe v Lower Breck; NWCL Premier: Burscough v Litherland REMYCA, Charnock Richard v Nelson; NWCL First Div North: Fulwood Amateurs v Colne.