THIS was not what the doctor ordered for Wembley bound Kirkham & Wesham as they suffered a spell of post Vase depression at Chadderton last night losing to an 89th minute winner, in what was a crucial Vodkat League Two promotion clash.

Having enjoyed the euphoria of victory at Needham Market on Saturday, Kirkham came back down off cloud nine with a tremendous thud in what was a lacklustre display against arguably their closet rivals for promotion.

Manager Mick Fuller said after: "To be fair to Chadderton they put us under a bit of pressure tonight.

"I thought we'd get a point - it's disappointing, but there are still a lot of games to play and sides around us will also drop points.

"I thought we weathered the storm for 40 odd minutes in the second-half but we just didn't clear the ball when we had a chance to.

"That's disappointing."

Kirkham had gone a goal behind after 23 minutes when keeper Pete Summerfield dropped a harmless looking cross and defender Aaron Sutcliffe had the simplest of chances to tuck the lose ball away.

But Chadderton defender Don Greenidge fouled Mike Clark on the edge of the box on the half hour and from the free-kick former Fleetwood ace Rick Allen curled in a shot that although keeper Lee Swanson got a hand too nestled into the top corner.

At that stage it was no more than the Wembley bound side deserved but in the second-half they just didn't get going and it was no surprise when Chadderton eventually scored.

In fact they should have wrapped up the points nine minutes earlier when full-back Paul Ashton side stepped three Kirkham defenders, drew out keeper Summerfield and with the goal gapping, tapped his shot wide.

Chadderton boss Paul Buckley said: "It's nice to beat a side going to Wembley.

"All credit to Kirkham for getting there and for those of us in the North West Counties League it's good to see one of our own sides get to the big show but tonight I thought we were the better side.

"Second-half l think we attacked Kirkham well and deserved to win.

"Tonight was our cup-final and this result now gives us a chance to get back into things."

Chadderton scorers: Sutcliffe (23), Fulham (89) Kirkham scorers: Allen (30) Att: 82