It was an afternoon to forget in the Boro’s final away fixture of their inaugural National League North campaign as Chorley put five past Radcliffe, slumping Bernard and Jonno’s side to a loss off the back of confirming safety last Tuesday.

The game had to wait until the 11th minute for its first real chance when Courtney Senior pulled the trigger with his left foot, Mateusz Hewelt was on hand to tip over before play was halted for a free kick from the following corner.

Radcliffe began to grow into the tie and had two golden opportunities to open the scoring in quick succession, Brad Jackson’s scuffed effort was cleared from a promising area, and Jordan Hulme’s flick came close to crossing the line but Adam Blakeman was well placed to thump clear.

Moments later, Chorley got their noses in front through Tom Carr who skipped into the box before rifling into the far corner of the net, and there was time for the hosts to extend their lead ahead of the interval, as former Boro forward Kole Hall dribbled goalwards and slammed the ball home, kissing the post on its way in.

Two changes were made at half-time in order to shuffle the defensive line, Scott Duxbury and Rick Smith both entered the fray to make their 49th and 38th appearances of the season respectively.

Nine minutes after the restart, Chorley netted their third as Senior slotted into an open net at the back post after a surging run from Hall, putting Andy Preece’s side in dreamland with a large amount of the game remaining.

With just less than half an hour to go, Radcliffe used their final three substitutes in a final roll of the dice with Josh Hancock, David Ball and Anthony Dudley coming onto the pitch, and the Boro then went on to have a small spell of attacking momentum but Chorley remained stubborn at the back to deny any clear-cut openings.

Carr put the game firmly to bed on the 77-minute mark, carving the Radcliffe defence wide open with intricate footwork before gaining a pocket of space to fire past Hewelt for his second of the afternoon.

Mark Ellis dispatched Chorley’s fifth and final goal with a downwards header via Blakeman’s cross from deep, ending a day to forget in front of an incredible away following who stuck by the team throughout.

Bernard and Jonno’s side will aim to right their wrongs at the Neuven Stadium in our final game of the season this Saturday, as we welcome Alfreton Town to Greater Manchester.

Our 2024/25 awards will be handed out in the Pickford Suite after the match, fans are welcome to stay and celebrate with us, joined by returning DJ, Jammy D.

Buy your tickets online here!