Chorley boss Andy Preece says his side almost paid the price for first-half sloppiness in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw at Telford.

Second-half goals from Taelor O’Kane and Milan Lalkovic rescued a point after the home side made the most of two turnovers in possession to lead 2-0.

Preece (right) told Chorley FC TV: “First half, the goals we conceded were so bad. We know they will probably have more possession and you have to defend really well...but they’re equally good on the counter-attack.

“And we defended really well and there aren’t too many chances being created and then we gave the ball away so cheaply to the striker and he’s through one-on-one against Matty (Urwin) and we’re 1-0 down.

Andy Preece after the draw with Telford (photo: David Airey/dia images)

placeholder image — Andy Preece after the draw with Telford (photo: David Airey/dia images)

“We recovered a little bit...and then same again. Mark Ello (Ellis) tries to win a ball that he can’t win and then that leaves the centre-forward again one-v-one with his pace and almost a carbon copy of the first goal and we’re 2-0 down. We were sloppy with the ball.

“We won the ball back numerous times in good positions. That’s what gave me a little bit of hope at half-time, if we were a little better with the ball we’d create chances.”

And Chorley took their chances to draw level and Preece added: “We had two or three great opportunities after that to go in front.

“I’m a little bit disappointed we haven’t got three points but at half-time, 2-0 down, you’d probably settle for a point.”