Grantham Town suffered their eighth successive defeat after they conceded from a set-piece just before half time at a chilly Meres on Saturday.
Evo-Stik Northern Premier League
Premier Division
Grantham Town 0
Chorley 1
Playing into a strong wind in the first half, Town’s first chance came after a frenetic opening 10 minutes when Lee Potts’s header found Conor Higginson who had the ball smothered from his feet by Chorley keeper Jack Cudworth.
Paul Grimes attempted to place a shot on 15 minutes but was well off the mark, and his cross-cum-shot four minutes later could have worked if Ben Saunders had been quicker closing in on goal.
Grantham’s stand-in goalie James Martin made a great diving save to deflect Tom Ince’s 23rd minute volley.
The game became scrappier as the difficult conditions took their toll although Martin made another great reaction save with his feet to deny Ciaran Kilheeney.
Grimes miskicked his shot after a good squared ball in from Potts, but Chorley went in front with two minutes of the half remaining. A free kick from the corner of the penalty area caused chaos in the six-yard box and Kilheeney managed to get a touch and the ball rolled into the net.
The Gingerbreads almost levelled as the half drew to a close. Higginson ran in on goal and chipped Cudworth, but the ball drifted wide in the wind.
Both sides had chances early in the second half. Kirk Millar headed wide for Chorley and Ben Saunders sliced his volley over from close range.
The Gingerbreads battled away but there was no real sign of a goal on the horizon. Kilheeney continued to cause trouble for the Town defence, Cudworth saved Higginson’s 71st minute effort and Martin made another excellent save to deny Andy Teague at the other end.
Town’s best chance late on saw Cudworth palm away Tony Battersby’s header.
Grantham Town: Martin, Purcicoe, Potts, Brindley (Robinson, 84), S. Saunders, Meikle, Lewis, Ball, Grimes, B.Saunders (Battersby 78), Higginson (McGhee, 78). Subs not used: Nwadike, Magee. Att: 215.