YORK City lost their opening game of the National League North season following a 1-0 defeat at Chorley.

Adam Blakeman’s first-half goal settled matters against a City team who hit the frame of the goal twice through Jake Wright and Sean Newton either side of his match-winning effort.

City had almost got the season off to a flier with the first chance of the afternoon on seven minutes as Wes York sent Wright sprinting away through the right channel.

But the former Harrogate Town striker’s shot came off the base of home keeper Cameron Belford’s near post and strong penalty appeals were rejected when York appeared to be upended as he looked to follow up.

At the other end, a 20-yard Josh Wilson effort drifted wide and Marcus Carver prodded over after Blakeman’s long throw had troubled Hamza Bencherif. Josh O’Keefe also sliced off target from distance for the hosts, while Jordan Burrow’s header floated over following Kallum Griffiths’ deep right-wing cross.

Moments later, positive forward charges by Burrow and Wright led to a 20-yard chance for the former that was pushed behind for a corner by Belford.

But the Magpies forged in front on 38 minutes when left-wing back Blakeman was afforded the time to tee himself up just outside the away box before aiming a low drive into the unsighted Adam Bartlett’s bottom-left corner.

After the interval, York intercepted a loose pass across the Chorley back line and charged forward before unleashing a 20-yard shot that produced a flying save from Belford.

Carver then cleared the City goal with an acrobatic overhead attempt, but the visitors were denied by another Belford stop when he pushed skipper Newton’s free kick on to the crossbar after Wright had tangled with Courtney Meppen-Walter.

But, only a Burrow clearance on 68 minutes, prevented an unmarked Wilson’s header doubling Chorley’s advantage from Blakeman’s corner.

Joe Tait was also needed to divert an edge-of-the-box shot on the turn by Carver away from goal and Bartlett pushed away a curling 20-yard Alex Newby shot before safely gathering a weak attempt from twin brother Elliot Newby.

Former City attacker Louis Almond, on as a second-half substitute, then found the sidenetting from an unfavourable angle and fellow replacement Dale Whitham’s half-volley hit the roof of stand with his first touch.

For City, Simon Heslop's low 20-yard drive failed to extend Belford and the Minstermen's fate was sealed.