Fabien Robert’s late half volley rescued a well deserved point for City against Chorley at TigerTurf Stadium.
City had fallen behind in the 65th minute but their push for an equaliser was rewarded after they had dominated the fifth placed side for most of the game.
City had the lions share of possession in the first half which saw few clear cut chances by either side. City moved the ball around well to find Jack James in space in the twelfth minute but his cross was headed over by Hulbert.
Chorley had a chance when Blakes shot just wide after a short corner routine, but City otherwise held the ball well until the half hour mark when the game opened up and Chorley moved into the ascendency. A succession of corners put pressure on City who had to defend well to keep the danger away and keep the game goalless going into the break.
The second half was a more open affair, both Hall and James had chances by cutting in from the flanks but their shots couldn’t find the net, and City went a goal behind on 65’ after Brad Holmes’ header beat Wiles-Richards. The Bristol City loanee made two point blank saves to keep the Tigers in the game.
Lee Mansell changed things up with the introduction of Bernard Mensah and Matt McClure, and McClure nearly made an instant impact heading just over from Leadbitter’s cross. However, the introduction of Fabien Robert proved to be the match-changing moment as the Frenchman hit a thunderous half volley from the edge of the box in injury time to seal a draw against playoff chasing Chorley.
City: Wiles-Richards, Leadbitter, Martinez, Thompson, Dawson, O’Sullivan🟨, James, Hall (sub Mensah 73) Tomlinson (sub Robert 83), Green (sub McClure 76) Hulbert
Subs not used: Armstrong, Derrick
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