TOWN Ladies lost out in a nine-goal Northern Women’s Combination clash at Chorley.

The 5-4 defeat in tough weather conditions in Lancashire left them fifth.

Town went behind in the 10th minute when an attempted clearance bounced into the path of a Chorley striker.

Keeper Charlotte Oates made a good save five minutes later, but Town were undone again before pulling one back with a 20th-minute penalty, when Hollie Barker was fouled and Emily Heckler scored.

Four minutes later, player of the match Barker struck a looping shot from outside the area which sailed over the Chorley keeper’s head and into the net.

Chorley regained the lead in the 37th minute when a neat corner was headed home, and it was 4-2 soon after when Oates was unable to hold a long-range shot and the ball was forced into the net.

Eight minutes into the second half, the home side made it five direct from a free-kick.

But in the 60th minute, Kate Mallin sent Heckler clear and she made no mistake to shoot past the keeper.

Town continued to press and the home defending became more desperate as the pitch became more muddy.

Substitute Abbie Mullen struck to set up a tense finish but second-placed Chorley held out.

Fourth-placed Sheffield United Community Ladies come to Warrenside on Sunday (2.00).

Town Reserves, whose West Riding Women’s League Second Division game at Nostell was postponed, take on Brayton Belles Reserves at Grange Moor (2.00).