Chorley 2-0 Derby: Non-league side beat makeshift Rams in FA Cup

Derby County's stand-in boss Pat Lyons said his decimated side were unable to pull off a "fairytale" as they lost to National League North side Chorley.

A Covid-19 outbreak meant the Championship club were without their entire first-team squad, boss Wayne Rooney and most of their under-23 side.

They fell behind when Connor Hall headed in from close range.

Chorley wrapped up victory six minutes from time when Mike Calveley stretched to divert Elliot Newby's cross home.

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Nine of Derby's starting 11 were making senior debuts and the team had an average age of just 19.

"We're disappointed not to get the result and the fairytale we wanted," development coach Lyons told BBC Radio 5 live.

"We had four more players drop out yesterday and that meant more players who didn't think they were playing were. We're proud of every single one of them."

He added: "You'll never be able to take this away from those boys and the things they have learned today they will take into their future careers."

Headteacher Vermiglio delighted at 'unbelievable' progress

Sixth-tier Chorley, who beat 2013 winners Wigan in the first round before seeing off another League One side, Peterborough, can now look forward to Monday's fourth and fifth-round draw after overcoming a second-tier side, albeit one unrecognisable from their usual line-up.

Guiding the club to the fourth round of the cup for the first time in the week was a bright end to a challenging week for manager Jamie Vermiglio.

The 38-year-old combines his job as Magpies boss with being a headteacher of a primary school in Warrington and he admitted before the game that the national coronavirus lockdown at the start of the week that had seen schools have to close meant that the game had not been the top of his priorities.

"I'm really proud of them and really pleased for the players who've put so much effort in this season. For a team who were bottom of National League North after four games with zero points, to get to round four is unbelievable," he said.

"First and foremost, it's the confidence it gives us - Chorley is on the map now and for us it's a boost. We're in the limelight and it's good to be out there getting that publicity.

"Secondary is the financial side of it. We've made around £250,000 before today, goodness knows what it'll be now.

"It'll certainly be £300,000 or £400,000. We could possibly get to £500,000 now and for a club like us, not only does it save us, it enables us to grow."

Vermiglio added that Rams interim boss Rooney had called him before the game to wish his side well and apologise for being unable to attend the fixture.

Experience beats exuberance

Derby's youngsters had the game's first opening when Cameron Cresswell got in behind the home defence but Magpies goalkeeper Matt Urwin did well to deny him.

However, they soon found themselves behind when a deep corner caused chaos and Hall eventually headed home from two yards out.

The youthful visitors competed well throughout but struggled to retain possession and were fortunate not to fall further behind before the break when Will Tomlinson hit the crossbar from the edge of the area.

Derby goalkeeper Matt Yates then made a fine low save to keep out Hall's shot in the opening moments of the second half.

The Rams grew in confidence as the game wore on but could not create a chance of note and Calveley ended the contest with another close-range finish.

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