CHORLEY’S play-offs aspirations suffered a setback against a Harrogate team which was a totally different proposition from the one comprehensively beaten 4-0 at Victory Park in early October.

The White Rose men underlined the merit of their victory at title-chasing AFC Fylde the previous Saturday by comfortably accounting for an off-colour Magpies’ side.

But Harrogate’s success was overshadowed by horrific injuries sustained by midfielder Andy Gascoigne who was stretchered from the field with what later proved to be a double-fracture of his leg.

The unfortunate Gascoigne had given Harrogate a ninth minute lead from a penalty, a soft award for an aerial challenge at a corner, and Chorley’s task became mountainous nine minutes later when skipper Andy Teague was red-carded for the strong but not malicious challenge which had such catastrophic consequences for Gascoigne.

Teague’s dismissal was quickly followed by Town’s second goal. A poorly defended corner resulted in Paul Clayton glancing a header home.

Josh Hine put the Magpies briefly back in the game early in the second half, intelligently anticipating the flight and bounce of Sam Ashton’s long punt downfield to guide a looping header home.

But within three minutes Town restored their two-goal cushion, the elusive Jack Emmett collecting a left-wing centre unchallenged eight yards from goal and comfortably beating Ashton. Then on 74 minutes a clumsy foul by Matt Flynn enabled Harrogate to profit from a second penalty, easily converted by Jordan Thewlis.

Chorley never really threatened a result but there was a crucial moment just before half-time when Aaron Burns got in a powerful shot which Crook fumbled.

The ball appeared to trickle just over the goal-line before the keeper scooped it clear but the visitors’ protests went unheeded by the officials.

Chorley continued to battle to the end but the home defence resolutely dealt with the Magpies’ threat.