By James Briscoe
Nantwich Town keeper Jack Cudworth had a debut to forget after giving away a penalty which sent Dabbers crashing to a 1-0 defeat.
Cudworth (pictured) felled Chorley’s Josh Hine in the box and Hine stroked home the spot-kick in the 11th minute.
It proved to be the only goal of the game at the Weaver Stadium as the visitors clung on to secure three points.
The Dabbers put the Magpies under heavy pressure in the first half after Dale Whitham was shown a red card for a dangerous challenge on Oliver Devenney on 26 minutes.
But Danny Johnson’s side created only limited chances after the break as Chorley’s well organised defence showed strength and resolution to earn a vital victory in their title chase.
Cudworth had little else to contend with as the Dabbers went on the offensive after the penalty mishap.
Aaron Burns had a dipping free-kick finger-tipped over the bar by Sam Ashton then, after the visitors had been reduced to 10 men, Russell Courtney headed wide from a corner.
Burns’ cross was headed just over by Mark Jones and Devenney had a long range effort held by Ashton as Nantwich looked to level up before the break.
Harry Clayton flashed a shot on the turn just wide on the hour mark and headed over soon afterwards while Chorley’s only chance of note came when Tom Baker tested Cudworth with a 25 yard free-kick.
But Chorley’s well marshalled rearguard restricted the hosts to few chances with Burns seeing a free-kick held by Ashton and Jones narrowly missing the target after Andy White pulled the ball back into his path.
Nantwich: Cudworth, Frost, White, Jones, Courtney, Wilson, Carden, Devenney, Burns, Clayton, O’Neill. Subs: Davidson, Deegan (for O’Neill,70), Bailey (for Courtney, 90), Johnson (for Devenney, 70), Harrop.
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