HE might no longer be a Magpie, but former Newcastle United defender Steve Watson would no doubt steal Chorley’s back three given the chance.

Andy Teague, Scott Leather and Courtney Meppen-Walter certainly continue to shine for the high-flying Lancashire outfit, who share their nickname with the St James’ Park giants.

The trio’s efforts have seen Chorley carry their miserly reputation from last term into this campaign, where a record of just 23 goals conceded in 27 National League North fixtures has provided Jamie Vermiglio’s men with a great opportunity to head the division virtually from start to finish.

Known for their uncompromising nature, Chorley’s towering centre-backs have also demonstrated an under-rated ability to play the ball out from the back this season Seemingly, they know where the net is too, with Leather and Meppen-Walter grabbing this contest’s opening two goals to set their side on the way to a sixth victory during their last seven games.

Boasting all the qualities that Watson covets from defenders in his favoured formation, it would have been difficult to imagine the new City chief not looking on with envy as he auditioned the same 3-5-2 system with a backline that lacked both individual confidence and collective cohesion.

Joe Tait and Hamza Bencherif were slow to react in mind and body at times as the Minstermen made it 15 goals conceded during their last six games, while rookie loan signing Tom Bradbury will need to adapt quickly to the intensity and physicality attached to playing sixth-tier football in this country.

City’s midfield also need to provide a better protective shield for their defensive team-mates, as was witnessed early in this match when Meppen-Walter was allowed to maraud forward before finding Alex Newby, who was given the space and time to fire wide from 25 yards.

By eight minutes, the hosts were then behind when a left-wing corner, conceded by Tait, was floated under Adam Bartlett’s crossbar and the City keeper made a hash of clawing the ball away, with Leather reacting sharpest to prod in from five yards.

Watson’s men responded with spirit as a charging forward run by Alex Kempster led to a deflected right-wing cross that looped up and was met by Jordan Burrow, who headed against the outside of the far post.

More slack play, though, saw Bradbury allow Elliot Newby to cross in from the right, only for Carver to head over from eight yards.

It was a short-lived reprieve with Meppen-Walter meting out the punishment when City gave away possession in their own half and Kempster, chasing back, bundled into Elliot Newby 25 yards out.

The subsequent free kick saw Chorley’s former England under-18 international beat Bartlett with the aid of a deflection off the top of the hosts’ wall.

Josh O’Keefe went on to shoot well over from distance before Tait went close with a dipping 12-yard full volley after Burrow had rose highest to meet Scott Burgess’ cross from the left.

The latter then became the latest City player to give the ball away in his own half, leading to a weak Alex Newby effort that was, nevertheless, spilled by Bartlett with Tait clearing the danger.

A controversial route back into the match, though, was handed the home side when referee Dean Hulme detected a push in the six-yard box from Burgess’ left-wing corner.

Burrow saw Matt Urwin dive down to his right to save the subsequent spot kick, before he kept his composure when the ball rebounded straight back to him and converted his 14th goal of the season from eight yards.

Before the break, a Tait header was somehow kept out by the Chorley defence as he rose high to meet a Paddy McLaughlin flag kick and the latter also saw his 20-yard half-volley drift over after positive play down the right by Jake Wright early in the second period.

Kempster also saw a 20-yard attempt deflected over, while Carver directed a 15-yard chance straight at Bartlett after Matt Challoner and Elliot Newby had combined well.

Just past the hour, Alex Newby flashed a long-range attempt past Bartlett’s near post and, after Burgess’ hopeful 30-yard shot rolled through to Urwin, Chorley began to crank up the pressure.

Carver shot wide on 68 minutes and, moments later, Bartlett made a brilliant reflex save to keep out Josh Wilson’s point-blank header from Elliot Newby’s left-wing cross.

But the City keeper was powerless to prevent Wilson making it 3-1 when he was given another aerial opportunity on 76 minutes.

Challoner was again invited to swing the ball in from the right and Wilson headed in at the far post after the cross had cleared Bencherif.

City’s former Algeria under-20 international swiftly went up the other end to send in a delivery from the left that saw Tait head against the outside of the far post.

But, within seconds, the Magpies made it 4-1 when Carver ghosted in front of Tait to guide Adam McGurk’s low right-wing cross against the frame of the home goal and Alex Newby followed up to tap in.

The goal was greeted with faint chants for chairman Jason McGill to leave the club from the David Longhurst Stand as City dropped to a position one place above the relegation zone, where Evo-Stik League football awaits the bottom three.

City ratings

Adam Bartlett 5

Joe Tait 5

Hamza Bencherif 5

Tom Bradbury 5

Wes York 6

Scott Burgess 6

Paddy McLaughlin 6

Alex Kempster 5

David Ferguson 6

Jordan Burrow 6

Jake Wright 5

Substitutes: Macaulay Langstaff 5 (for Wright, 61), Jon Parkin (for Kempster, 75).

Subs not used: Ryan Whitley, Sean Newton, Kallum Griffiths.

Star man: Burrow - kept his composure to net from penalty rebound and competed throughout

Chorley: Matt Urwin, Andy Teague, Scott Leather, Courtney Meppen-Walter, Matt Challoner, Alex Newby (James Hooper, 87), Josh O'Keefe, Elliot Newby (Jake Cottrell, 85) Adam Blakeman, Marcus Carver, Josh Wilson (Adam McGurk, 81). Subs not used: Scott Jordan, Danny Eccles.

Chorley star man: Meppen-Walter – unshakable at the back and reliable with distribution

Referee: Dean Hulme 7/10 – communicated well and only guilty of occasional error

Booked: Urwin 22, Blakeman 31, O’Keefe 64

Sent off: None

Shots on target: City 7, Chorley 8

Shots off target: City 3, Chorley 5

Corners: City 4, Chorley 4

Fouls conceded: City 7, Chorley 11

Offside: City 2, Chorley 1