Chorley 2 Bradford Park Avenue 1

There was an inauspicious beginning to the reign of Park Avenue's new owner as they suffered a defeat that saw them drop into the Vanarama Conference North relegation zone.

Bradford born Roberts was not in attendance as he is spending Christmas at his home in Texas but he will have been pleased with the feedback as Avenue took a first-half lead against promotion-chasing Chorley.

The Magpies eventually won the game after coming from a goal down in the last 25 minutes. Even then with a slender lead they were relieved to stumble over the line against their battling visitors.

The result puts pressure on Park Avenue as they go into Sunday's home game against former Football League rivals Stockport County at Horsfall Stadium.

Chorley had some early pressure at Victory Park while Avenue’s first concerted attack culminated in a booking. Stand-in skipper Joe Colbeck was shown a yellow card for simulation after going down in the area.

Avenue keeper John Danby made a save to deny Josh Hine after a half chance following a corner and the visitors’ stopper was on hand again to deny James Dean.

Colbeck had a strong penalty appeal waved away after his shot appeared to strike a hand in the area but it was Danny Frost who looked the most likely to score for Bradford, only to be usurped by Chib Chilaka.

Midway through the first half an Avenue free kick was recycled in the box and Chilaka lobbed over Magpies keeper Aaron Grundy. Frost threatened more times before the interval but the home side also had a sniff of an equaliser when Dean and Dale Whitam combined only for the latter to see his low shot saved by Danby.

Avenue had a half chance to double their lead during an early second-half goalmouth scramble but the home side rallied. They forced several set pieces before Hine dragged a shot wide.

Hine went from villain to hero in rapid time as he netted Chorley’s equaliser and then winner. The home side restored parity in the 65th minute as Hine converted Harry Winter’s through ball and 14 minutes later he was on the end of a long throw-in to score.

Avenue’s on-loan striker Benny Igiehon made his debut as a late substitute and will be hoping that has boosted his chances of a place in the starting line-up against Stockport County.

The Hatters are also looking to bounce back after they dropped to ninth after being held to a 1-1 draw by Frank Sinclair’s mid-table Colwyn Bay.