Salford City will return down the M61 wishing the local thunderstorms had struck a bit further north, as they lost 1-2 away to Chorley earlier.
In a foul tempered game that saw The Ammies awarded four yellow cards and co manager Anthony Johnson sent to the stands; Defender Michael Nottingham opened the scoring for the visitors.
However The Magpies started the second half magnificently and two quickfire goals from Jason Walker and Dale Whitham secured the win.
The result means Chorley now overtake Salford, who in the space of a week have gone from champions elect to clinging on to a play-off position.
With the build up to the match featuring weather more natural to Kuala Lumpur in March than Lancashire in September, both teams resorted to long balls to break quickly.
Although it was Chorley who, opened the game up first after Stephen O’Halloran conceded a free kick from 20 yards out.
Dale Whitham almost converted the set piece, with a teasing ball that was inches wide of the goal.
However, if one of The Magpies in the box got a head on it the hosts would have surely opened the scoring in the opening 10 minutes.
What followed moments later a moment of confusion, emotion, and ill discipline that eventually cost Anthoney Johnson his place on the touchline.
That confusion started with a Chorley counter attack, as Marcus Carver made a run into the box; the striker was then brought down roughly by Lynch.
Referee Stephen Copeland looked quick to make his mind up, and sent the keeper off,.
Johnson then berated the near side linesman for what he thought should never have been a red card, and he appeared right, with Copeland quickly reversing his decision and awarding a yellow.
Meanwhile, Johnson who didn’t appear to see the reversal, was still furious, and continued to rant at the linesman in a manner that if it happened in a public place, would have seen him at the mercy of the local constabulary.
Should Lynch have walked the co-manager might have got away with it, but with the touchline and dugout being so close, it was inevitable the linesman would call Copeland over to eject Johnson from the game.
Fortunately for the scoreline the penalty was saved, however matters on the pitch seemed to be a sideshow compared to theatrics off it.
The Ammies however put the problems behind them, and opened the scoring through a corner that was sloppily cleared by the hosts to allow Michael Nottingham to break the deadlock near the half hour mark.
Precipitation continued to intensify as the first half began to close, as concerns of whether the game could continue also increased.
Mercifully, the rain eased in time for the second half, although devastatingly for Salford; Chorley came out a totally different side; going from a goal down to leading in the space of five minutes.
First, a fabulous turn by Adam Blakeman put Jason Walker in miles of space to slot home the equaliser.
Moments later The Magpies were ahead, with a cool finish struck by David Whitham that beat Lynch to the far post.
Bernard Morley now managing alone, rung the changes, bringing on top scorer Mike Phenix near the hour mark, although the forward’s only highlight was to go into the book.
Meanwhile, other Ammie forwards such as Jordan Hulme had more success going forward, but couldn’t hit the target and test Ashton.
After two disappointing trips away, Salford will be glad to return to Moor Lane for their next fixture against Brackley Town on Saturday.
Photo; Charlotte Tattersall
