Jamie Vermiglio says Chorley won’t surrender despite desperate times

The Magpies were beaten 2-1 by Eastleigh at Victory Park on Tuesday night – their fourth successive defeat.

They remain firmly rooted at the bottom of the National League – a whopping 15 points shy of safety with just nine games of the season to play.

While it is still mathematically possible, Vermiglio will continue to believe his players can rescue themselves from their predicament.

But he accepts that it will be a minor miracle now if his men are not playing in the National League North next season.

The frustrating aspect for Chorley in recent games is that they have lost by just the odd goal and have certainly not been disgraced.

“We cant be critical of the lads again,” said Vermiglio.

“It’s the same only story in terms of the result but I thought we were excellent in terms of our offensive play, getting the ball forward and playing between the lines.

“We were getting them on the turn, getting down the sides and putting crosses into the box. We were relentless when we had the ball – some of the football we played in the first half was excellent.

“There were certain passages of play when we put together 20 or 30 passes. In that sense we were excellent. There were a lot of good performances. We have created more than 20 opportunities – 21 shots I think we have had.

“We hit the post – I thought we deserved a lot more from the game. We are not far off – I have been saying this for a few months now.

“We are there or thereabouts in games. I have genuinely felt that in most games, even though we have come on the wrong end of the scoreline, we have done okay.

“We will keep going – we are playing for pride now.”

This weekend, the Magpies welcome former league One outfit Chesterfield to Victory Park.

The Spireites are in a spot of trouble themselves. They occupy the fourth and final spot in the relegation zone – one point behind Maidenhead United.

On Tuesday, they almost earned a point against second-placed Harrogate Town, conceding in stoppage time to lose 4-3. In the reverse fixture between the two, Chorley came away from the Proact Stadium with a 3-2 victory – one of only four wins in the league this season.

Vermiglio has called upon the fans to get behind the team once again.

“I thought the fans were excellent – there was a real feeling that they were trying to help,” he said.

Elsewhere, fellow strugglers AFC Fylde welcome play-off chasing Solihull moors to Mill Farm.

In the National League North, Southport are at home to Kidderminster Harriers.