TOP SCORER Darren Stephenson climbed off the bench to guide Chorley through to the Doodson Sport Cup second round at the expense of Kendal.

Visiting skipper Andy Teague cancelled out Danny McGahon’s early opener while late strikes from Simon Wiles and Stephenson saw Garry Flitcroft’s side home.

Milnthorpe Corinthians keeper Richard Carter replaced flu victim Craig Dootson while John Ross made his debut at right-back after signing from Longridge Town.

Kendal shot out the blocks and were ahead inside three minutes, Magpies full-back Ben Proctor failed to deal with a Jack Smith cross allowing McGahon to lash home.

Chorley – who made a number of changes to the squad which travelled to Stafford Rangers at the weekend – currently top the Evo-Stik Premier Division and drew level on 17 minutes.

Following a foul on Paul Jarvis wide on the left, Carter was given little chance as Teague’s powerful downward header from an inswinging Dale Whitham free-kick restored parity.

Zach Clark’s pace was causing Chorley problems, screwing a shot wide after 20 minutes before delivering a pinpoint cross into the six-yard-box for the onrushing Colin Watson.

Watson was unable to keep his shot down, injuring his ankle in the process and replaced by Oliver Mathieson of the Cumbria Development Squad as the scores were level at the break.

Two minutes after the restart, Carter came to Kendal’s rescue with a fine low save to deny Jarvis after a forward ball released the ex-AFC Fylde winger.

Martin Grundy blazed high and wide after being found by Clark before Proctor and Wiles combined to find Brandon Zibaka whose fierce effort narrowly missed the upright.

With 25 minutes remaining, Chorley were denied the lead by an outstretched Ricky Mercer who somehow managed to clear Zibaka’ss close-range shot off the line.

This chance was created by the increasingly influential Alex Meaney and it was his corner that saw Zibaka head over from within the six-yard box.

By this stage the visitors were enjoying increased possession and, with the prospect of penalties looming, took the lead with only four minutes left on the clock.

Keir O’Brien took advantage of a defensive slip to advance into the box and square for Wiles who side-footed past Carter, although the goal had a hint of offside.

Credited to Wiles, the ball seemed to take a deflection off Stephenson – who was lurking on the goal-line – on its way into the net.

Carter then made an impressive double save to deny Whitham and Stephenson before the latter settled matters in stoppage time.

Stephenson’s header from a Meaney free-kick slipped under Carter while Rob Wilson stabbed wide late on as Kendal bowed out of the cup despite a positive performance.

Kendal Town: Richard Carter, John Ross, Jack Smith (Matthew Knipe 81), Martin Grundy, Ricky Mercer (c), Michael Stringfellow (Adam Freeland 87), Danny McGahon Rob Wilson, Zach Clark, Darren Green, Colin Watson (Oliver Mathieson 29). Subs not used: Luke Selby

Chorley: Aaron Grundy, Liam Davies, Ben Proctor (Adam Mather 46), Andy Teague (c) (Keil O’Brien 46), Mark Ross, Alex Meaney, Dale Whitham, Paul Woolcott, Brandon Zibaka, Simon Wiles, Paul Jarvis (Darren Stephenson 64). Subs not used: Adam Roscoe, Matt Jansen

Attendance: 162