The Bucks slipped to a 3-1 defeat away at Chorley on Saturday, despite a bright start that suggested they might extend their winning run.

Fresh from back-to-back home wins, the Bucks made as fast start to the game has they went in search of another three points. And seven minutes in, Wilkin’s men were ahead. After some good work from Rhys Hilton and Khanya Leshabela, Ammar Dyer flashed a ball across the six yard box for Adan George, whose initial effort was somehow clawed away by Matt Urwin. But the ball broke kindly for the Bucks, and while Dylan Allen-Hadley couldn’t turn home, the ball fell to George again, who to tapped home from a couple of yards out.

Harvey Smith had the ball in the back of the net for the Magpies not long after, but the goal was ruled out for offside. The Magpies did find an equaliser on 21 minutes though. Adam Blakeman pinched the ball off Hilton in the Chorley half before hitting a hopeful long ball for Tom Carr to chase. The Bucks debutant keeper, Stan Amos, had read the situation though and came out of his box to clear. But unfortunately for the Bucks and the young keeper, Amos hit his clearance straight into Carr, and the Chorley man slid home into the empty net.

The Bucks were playing some good stuff, and Hilton went close, testing Urwin at his near post. The were some cries for a penalty as Adam Henley slid in on Allen-Hadley, although the referee was unmoved. Henley then had a close call at the other end when he got on the end of a cross from the left, but his effort looped up and onto the top of the Bucks’ bar.

Right on half time, the Bucks had a great chance to make it two. Khayna Leshabela surged forward from the edge his own box into the Magpies before sliding in Allen-Hadley, who looked to take it round Urwin, but the Chorley keeper read it and made a good intervention. A strong half from the Bucks, but the teams went in level at 1-1 at the break.

It was a slightly different story after the interval, as the hosts began to up their game. The Bucks were still looking organised and playing some decent stuff, but goalscoring opportunities were harder to come by than they had been in the first half.

Chorley got their noses in front in the 54th minute. The Magpies attacked down the left before moving it inside to Mike Calveley, who hit a wonderful, defence-splitting pass from the centre of the pitch into the inside right channel that bisected Jordan Cranston and Allen-Hadley and found the run of Henley, who took a touch before coolly slotting home.

On 72 minutes, provider turned goal scorer, as Calveley doubled Chorley’s lead. Craig Hewitt cut in from the left and hit a right-effort across goal that Amos did well to parry, but Calveley was on hand to nod home from six yards out.

Oliver Cawthorne and Jamie Meddows went close for the Bucks, before Ola Lawal went closest to pulling one back late on. Cranston whipped in tempting ball in from the left, but a stretching Lawal could only fire just over the bar.

In the end, Chorley’s clinical finishing proved decisive. The Bucks left with no points but plenty of credit, having impressed for long spells and even drawing praise from opposition boss Andy Preece, who called them the best side his team had faced this season. That endorsement will be of little comfort to Wilkin’s men, though, who will feel a touch unlucky leave Victory Park empty handed.

Highlights