GARRY Flitcroft said he was “immensely proud” of his Chorley players after they went so close to an FA Trophy upset against Forest Green Rovers on Saturday.

The Magpies were the better side against the money-laden Skrill Premier outfit, whose full-time fitness started to show as soon as they were reduced to 10 men.

But Chorley were in no mood to roll over and they went so close to booking their place in the last 16.

Darren Stephenson went close to a winner and Chorley thought they had a penalty in stoppage time and Flitcroft said: “I can’t fault any of my lads.

“There is a big difference between our league and the Skrill Premier – but we more than matched them and I am immensely proud of every one of them.

“I thought it was a penalty at the end and we had a few chances too but that’s the way it goes sometimes and this tie is nowhere near over.”

Chorley must now travel to the village of Nailsworth tomorrow night and Rovers boss Adrian Pennock is expecting another tough battle.

“They are a good side, but we knew that because we had watched them three times.”