Leek’s FA Cup dreams are ended in six-minute spell

Emirates FA Cup Chorley Leek Town

............................ ....................... LEEK TOWN exited the Emirates FA Cup after losing 3-0 in the Second Qualifying Round at Chorley.

This was always going to a tough ask for Leek as the Magpies are top of the National League North with nine wins and a draw from ten games.

Added to that, Neil Baker had to contend with both Dan Trickett-smith and Tim Grice being ruled out through injury - the pair have scored 12 goals between them this season

Rob Stevenson returned to the starting line-up in place of Trickett-smith, whilst Danny Roberts was in goal after Ben Chapman was delayed in returning from a trip abroad.

Leek started brightly and had a couple of half chances early on with both Lewis Short and Stevenson firing over the crossbar.

The first warning for Blues came in the 17th minute when Elliott Newby flashed a shot across goal just wide of the post.

Newby had another effort on goal three minutes later, but Roberts made the save.

However, the Magpies took the lead on 24 minutes when a neat move was finished off with Marcus Carver tucking the ball away from close range.

Two minutes later it was 2-0 when Carver was brought down in the box by Charlie Walford and Adam Blakeman blasted home the penalty.

Blues almost pulled a goal back immediately when Lewis Short shot across the goalkeeper but the ball hit the inside of the post and bounced out with Jordan Johnson just unable to connect.

On the half-hour mark the game was effectively over when Chorley worked the ball down the left and the cross was easily headed home by Dale Whitham for their third goal in six minutes.

Walford saw a 25-yard effort fly just over prior to half-