HARRIERS fell to a 2-1 defeat at Chorley despite taking an early lead and dominating the first half at Victory Park.

Early control wasn’t converted sufficiently into goals as the travellers ended up empty handed, Zak Brown’s goal cancelled out by Chorley efforts either side of the interval.

Harriers were finally able to welcome back Amari Morgan-Smith to the fold after his lengthy absence through concussion. The Aggborough Captain had been missing since his injury sustained in the first home game of the season in August, but returned to the action at Victory Park at the expense of Maliq Cadogan who dropped to the bench.

The visitors immediately exerted pressure on the hosts, Matt Urwin forced into some unconventional goalkeeping in pushing away a second minute effort from Brown and, five minutes later, Ashley Hemmings. The latter came in from distance, the goalkeeper doing well to beat away the swerving attempt.

Harriers kept at it, though, and were rewarded with the opening goal on nine minutes. Luke Summerfield expertly descended a free kick into the area where Brown rose highest, planning home a header off the post for his second goal of the season.

With 26 minutes played it was nearly 2-0. Harriers kept piling on the pressure and, inside the area, Caleb Richards took aim with a low and angled effort that whistled past the far post.

Come the half hour Urwin was again punching the ball clear of his goal. Summerfield this time took aim after being given freedom to roam in midfield, his drive batted away, a recycled ball then fired back goalward by Maz Kouhyar, over the bar.

On the stroke of half time and with their dominance failing to push them clear, Harriers somehow found themselves on level terms, the Chorley equaliser coming from the head of Scott Wilson as he finished unchallenged from a corner.

The Magpies completed their turnaround just nine minutes after the restart. It was a goal not dissimilar to the first, this time a long throw causing trouble in the area as Mark Ellis leapt highest to nod the ball into the far side of the net.

Phil Brown immediately rang the changes, thrusting Jack Lambert and Cadogan into the fray. Eight after the hour, the former forced Urwin into a diving save with a rising drive from 18 yards, Harriers soon after seeing an effort cleared off the line as Morgan-Smith met a corner with a powerful header.

Hemmings then saw an effort charged down as the visitors began to apply some more pressure, the Aggborough talisman then planting a free header over from a corner with just ten left to play.

Six minutes of added time gave Harriers enough opportunity to turn the screw in front of goal, but the lion’s share of Urwin’s work had, by that point, already been done.

Harriers must now put their league campaign on hold as they entertain Leek Town in the FA Cup on Saturday (14th).