HARRIERS saw their brief revival snuffed out at Chorley who eased to a 3-0 win to move back to the top of the table.

Harriers opted to stick with an unchanged starting eleven for the game. Milan Butterfield had returned prior to the Nuneaton clash but, having landed just hours earlier after international duty with Bermuda, boss Mark Yates opted to place him among the substitutes. With the Reds subsequently firing themselves to a 4-1 win over Nuneaton Borough, it’s perhaps understandable he didn’t want to shuffle the pack at Victory Park.

There was one change on the bench, though, as Tom Palmer replaced Reiss Taylor-Randle.

The visitors got off to the worst possible start. Inside a couple of minutes Chorley had fashioned a chance when Carver forced Hall into a low save, a warning not headed when, a minute later, a hopeful ball over the top was missed by all bar Wilson, who gleefully raced on to it before finishing well past Hall.

McAlinden had a half chance to respond but saw his effort held by Urwin in goal, Austin also driving into the goalkeeper’s arms, with Hall tipping a Newby free-kick around the post in between.

With 23 on the clock Carver should have had his team’s second when he fired over the bar after picking up a block inside the area, with Urwin saving well at the other end as McAlinden teed up Williams who saw his low shot dealt with.

Only superb goalkeeping from Hall kept the score at one with just three to play before the break – twice denying Leather with a good save and a block using a knee as the Chorley man thought he’d done enough to find the net.

Two after the restart Hall was at it again to deny Newby with a superb low save, diving away to his left to turn the ball around the post, Ironside seeing his shot blocked by the chest of Urwin barely a minute later.

There was nothing Hall could do to prevent the second Chorley goal on the hour, however; Carver allowed too much space to cross low to Wilson who kept his composure to roll the ball past Hall to put the hosts firmly in the driving seat.

The third would soon follow as the home side began to fill their boots, Carver able to watch a long ball down before firing it past Hall and in off the woodwork.

Horsfall did try and reduce the arrears with less than 20 to play but found Urwin again in good form as the custodian blocked away his header from a free-kick, Chorley always hungry for more as Hooper spurned a late chance for a fourth.

HARRIERS: Hall, Taylor, Austin, Horsfall, Johnson, Daniels, Penn, Williams (Butterfield 66), Chambers (Heaton 90), McAlinden, Ironside (Richards 68).

Subs not used: Higginson, Palmer.

Attendance: 1,474 Referee: Samuel Barrott