Macclesfield 1 Chorley 2: Calveley is Magpies' hero
Chorley produced an unbelievable performance to secure all three points in dramatic fashion, claiming victory away at Macclesfield thanks to a last-gasp winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
Goals from Mark Ellis and Mike Calveley were enough for Andy Preece’s side to overturn Isaac Buckley-Ricketts’ second-half opener and leave the Silkmen stunned late on at the Leasing.com Stadium.
Macclesfield broke the deadlock five minutes after the restart. Good work down the right flank led to Luke Matheson delivering a low cross into the box, which was met by Buckley-Ricketts, who calmly slotted the ball past Matt Urwin to give the hosts the lead.
Chorley responded well and were back on level terms on the hour mark. Jack Moore’s free-kick found Ellis arriving at the back post, and as the defender directed the ball back across goal, it was turned into the net by a Macclesfield player under pressure.
The Magpies continued to battle and were rewarded deep into stoppage time with a dramatic winner.
Another Moore free-kick caused problems in the Macclesfield box, first crashing against the crossbar before cannoning back off Silkmen keeper Rogan Ravenhill, and Calveley reacted quickest, sliding in to poke the ball home in the 95th minute.
Captain Matt Urwin also played a crucial role in the victory, producing two outstanding saves – first tipping away Luke Duffy’s powerful free-kick, before denying James Gale in a one-on-one situation late in the game.
Chorley now turn their attention to Tuesday evening’s home clash with South Shields at the Grant Store Victory Park Stadium.
Chorley: Urwin, Moore, Ellis, Smith, Blakeman (Clarke 58), M. Wilson (Carr 87), Calveley, O'Kane, German, Lalkovic (Bird 58), Sampson (Ibbitson 66). Subs not used: Griffiths, Walker, Drench.