Laughing Stock - but it's no joke for Chorley

CHORLEY manager Mark Patterson quit last night after his side crashed to a humiliating away defeat in a vital battle against fellow strugglers Stocksbridge.

The former Blackburn Rovers player, who took over from Mark Molyneaux in November, stepped down after his team's hopes of making the coveted top 13 of UniBond Division One all but disappear.

The Magpies appeared completely lacking in tactical direction and but for alert interventions by deputy keeper Graham Bennett the margin of defeat would have been even more embarrassing.

It took the home side just four minutes after the break to open their account, Curtis Bernard drilling the ball past Bennett from six yards.

Danny Queeley spoilt a great run with a tame shot at the home keeper before Steels went two up on 64 minutes as Alvin Riley's corner appeared to take a slight deflection into the net.

Patterson introduced all three substitutes in quick succession but it was all to no avail, as by this time Stocksbridge were playing with tremendous confidence.

Two goals in the last six minutes doubled their advantage. Chorley defenders fatally backed off Riley as he raced down the left flank before cutting inside and thumping a cross-shot beyond Bennett.

Then, with a minute remaining, Bernard completed a shocking night for Chorley when he slid the ball coolly past the exposed Bennett.