(Photo: Action Images)
By Jonny Leighfield
Chorley boss Matt Jansen said he was ‘immensely proud’ of his side’s FA Cup achievements this term despite seeing the Magpies suffer a heartbreaking first round exit at the hands of Fleetwood.
Jansen guided the club to the first round proper for the first time in 27 years as Chorley saw off Stalybridge Celtic, Ashton Athletic and Boston United in the qualifying rounds.
In front of the BT Sport cameras and a capacity crowd of 3,500, the Magpies looked set to beat League One Fleetwood when a goal and a man up with 13 minutes remaining.
Marcus Carver had given Chorley the lead before Lewie Coyle’s straight red card for a shocking tackle on Jake Cottrell appeared to have put paid to any hopes of a Fleetwood comeback.
But the visitors, who are 71 places above Chorley in the league pyramid, struck twice in the remaining minutes through Devante Cole and Jake Sowerby to break Magpie hearts and claim passage into the second round.
“I’m so proud of my boys, they will gain in confidence and I’ll make sure they do, they’ve shown how strong they are and what a team they are,” he said.
