Hythe Town 1 Chorley FA 2 Trophy match report: Jake Embery puts Cannons in front in last-32 tie but visitors hit back to win

Hythe’s FA Trophy adventure ended in the fourth round - but only after giving favourites Chorley a scare.

Jake Embery put the Isthmian South East side in front against their National League North opponents.

But the visitors levelled a minute before half-time through Jack Hazlehurst and Jack Sampson headed a second-half winner.

Still, it’s been a memorable record run in the competition for Hythe, with the last-32 tie attracting a strong crowd of 730.

Fifty-two places separated the sides but you’d never have known it in a tight game on a difficult pitch at Reachfields.

Chorley, fourth in National League North, didn’t look as big as expected, giving Hythe encouragement in the physical stakes, although match-winner Sampson was a giant.

And it was a battle, too, a proper old-school game that saw both sets of players giving everything.

The hosts forced three successive corners in a bright start and went close to an early opener when Ethan Smith’s persistence down the right saw Johan Caney-Bryan meet his cross, with Chorley keeper Matt Unwin sticking out a leg to save.

Chorley showed some nice touches in the final third, and had a bit of pace, but the Cannons back three were switched on, denying them a clear sight on goal.

Barnes was growing in influence with some strong runs down the left, sending a 25-yarder over the bar.

Another decent Barnes run, after collecting Frannie Collin’s pass, run led to the opening goal in the 31st minute.

He fizzed a ball to the near post and it broke to Embery, who made no mistake a few yards out.

Chorley finished the half strongly with Oliver Shenton going close and Mark Ellis’ header forcing a good save from Steve Phillips.

Their pressure paid off a minute before the break as Sampson’s lay-off