THE Magpies surrendered a half time advantage to go down 2-1 to Barnet in filthy conditions at The Hive. The constant wind was joined intermittently by driving rain as both teams went at early. The frantic pace made for exciting watching.

Ntumba Massanka and Marcus Carver tested Scott Loach with decent efforts, but the hosts were the more fluid going forward. The quick-footed duo of Mauro Vilhete and David Tutonda caused a number of problems down both flanks, with both creating chances close to Matt Urwin’s goal that were wasted by Josh Walker and Medy Elito.

The Bees continued to press and looked the most likely to break the deadlock, until a Jake Cottrell corner on 31 minutes was headed back in by Martin Smith, nudged on by Lewis Baines and spectacularly overhead kicked home by Carver. That was as good as it got for the visitors, however, as Barnet hit back after the break. The equaliser came from the penalty spot after an hour following a Matt Challoner foul on Medy Elito; Sub Jack Taylor dispatched past an unlucky Urwin.

Then, with 10 minutes remaining, and the conditions as worse as ever, Mauro Vilhete was in the right place at the right time to beat Urwin after the ‘keeper had initially thwarted Walker one-on-one.

Barnet: Loach; Alexander, Johnson, Reynolds (c), Dunne, Boucaud (Taylor, 46′), Vilhete, Elito (Fonguck, 81′), Walker, Tutonda, Sweeney (Mason-Clark, 53′). Subs not used: Matrevics, Akinola.
Chorley: Urwin; Challoner, Meppen-Walters, Carver (A.Newby, 60′), E.Newby (O’Keefe, 78′), Ross, Cottrell (c) (Almond, 83′), Smith, Baines, Nortey, Massanka. Subs not used: Dodds, Eccles.
HT 0-1 / FT 2-1
Goals: Taylor (pen, 62′), Vilhete (80′); Carver (31′)
Cautions: Dunne (33′), Walker (68′); E.Newby (26′), Nortey (54′), Massanka (85′)
Dismissals: None Referee: James Durkin
Assistants: Shaun Farrer & Craig Green
Fourth official: Scott Williams
Attendance: 1,040
Coming up: The Emirates FA Cup first round proper. We travel to EFL League Two’s Mansfield Town next Saturday, with tickets only available in-person at Victory Park (on the day tickets only if our allocation doesn’t sell out) priced £15 adults, £10 65+/under-18s & £5 under-12s.

Away travel costs £20 and is available to book online or in person.