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 in the box teed up Hazlehurst, who picked his spot.

Both teams were having a go in the second half although Chorley looked dangerous on the counter.

They broke quickly a couple of times, with Justin Johnson wasting a good chance when played in.

At the other end, Caney-Bryan met Barnes’ cross but his header was held by Unwin.

Chorley went ahead in the 73rd minute - the added disappointment for Hythe being that it came from a free-kick.

Johnson was fouled on the edge of the box and Sampson climbed highest to nod home down the middle of the goal.

Hythe pushed and pushed as the clock ticked down but Chorley survived.

Hythe: Phillips, Goldsmith, Schafer, Steventon, L Smith, Allan, Barnes (Gray 90+3mins), E Smith (Trespaderne 58mins), Caney-Bryan, Collin (Phillip 85mins), Embery, Subs not used: Stirman, Webb, Flisher, Garande.

Chorley: Urwin, Ellis, Smith, Wilson, Calveley (Nolan 80mins), Shenton (Henley 76mins), Johnson (Moyo 86mins), Hazlehurst, Whitehouse, Sampson, Ubaezuonu. Subs not used: Drench, Blakeman, Douyma.

Referee: Sam Mulhall.

Attendance: 730.