Game of the week: Chorley 3-2 Chester

Now former League Leaders Chester collapsed at Victory Park as the Magpies stunned them from two goals behind to win an impressive fixture in Lancashire.

Both teams started proceedings well following the referee's whistle to get the game underway.

Kole Hall would be a bright spark for Chorley in the opening minutes. The striker was clearly motivated, coming up against his former side, pressing and leading from the front. A Chester fan said; "We have never seen this before," while another said; "We made Kole Hall look like Pele."

A rather strong comparison between the two, as Hall was a nightmare for the Chester backline.

Andy Preece's side came close to an opener inside 12 minutes. The ever-present Adam Blakeman delivered a wicked ball into the box, and Mike Calveley met and flicked the ball onwards. Both Harvey Smith and Tom Carr scrambled inside the six-yard area before a Chester player would clear it away.

The signs were there for the Seals that they had to be aware of the set-pieces, as the Magpies have been one of the best in the division from throw-ins and corners.

However, Calum McIntyre's side would be the ones that would strike first. A marvellous outside-the-foot pass from Taelor O'Kane opened up the Magpie's defence with the strong pace of Dan Turner latching onto the pass.

The forward twisted and turned before placing a well-weighted pass across to Tom Peers, who struck the ball over Matt Urwin thanks to an unfortunate deflection from a sliding Blakeman.

Less than ten minutes later, Peers and Chester would have their second of the game. A misplaced cross-turned shot from fullback Tom Leak would be helped along by the clever movement of the forward, who would get a light touch to help it on into the corner, leaving Urwin stranded in the net.

Home fans were disheartened and bracing for the worst. Meanwhile, the away fans revelled in their success.

But Chorley replied swiftly.

26 minutes on the clock and a moment which left both home and away supporters stunned.

Blakeman picked the ball up just inside the Seal's half and delivered a fine cross to the edge of the area, which saw Mark Ellis head back into a threatening area.

From there, a Chester defender would head towards Jimmy Storer while Tom Carr would contest.

The smallest player on the pitch was facing the tallest, and with the pressure from Carr, Storer dropped the ball, which allowed the number ten to put the ball in the back of the net.

Home fans reignited with belief; the Magpies pressed on for an equaliser.

Like the first goal, the Magpies worked their way down the right channel. Hall controlled the ball well with his chest before dancing down the line, where he chipped inside to Adam Henley.

The fullback controlled the ball well before delivering a ball across goal to Warren Clarke, where the winger held the ball up well before laying off to an arriving George Horbury, who expertly displaced with his weaker left foot and got Chorley back on level terms.

Following the interval, the hosts would be the better of the sides following the restart.

Carr was brought down inside the box following a challenge from Harrison Burke. However, like he had been refereeing in the first half, the official waved it away and played continued.

Chester did grow into the half, earning a corner from a well-worked period of play in front of their loud away supporters. But the resulting corner was cleared well by the Magpies.

After such an intense first half, the second would be much calmer and more strategic.

Both sides looked to keep the ball more, and with the threat of Peers, he was the target to get balls into.

For Chorley, it was Hall who continued to win everything, it seemed, in the air and on the floor.

However, Chorley would execute the comeback and leave the travelling 600-plus Seals fans devastated.

The partnership that has caused so many teams in the Vanarama National League North so much trouble would combine once again.

Blakeman would deliver a fine cross, which went through kindly to a sliding-in Ellis, who would head home and send the Grant Store Victory Park stadium into bedlam.

This means that Ellis has a total of 12 goals, while Blakeman has reached 13 assists this season.

Chorley would hold on for the remaining ten minutes following the goal, moving Andy Preece's side up to fourth while Chester moved down to third.

The Magpies have a huge game this Tuesday against Curzon Ashton at the Tameside Stadium.

Meanwhile, the Seals are back on home turf against 22nd-placed Warrington Town.