A HALF-time verbal broadside by manager Ken Wright did the trick for Chorley - but only just - with the Magpies equaliser arriving with seconds to spare.

But for Wright's former managerial colleague Bryan Griffiths it was an all-too familiar story. So often on the receiving end of late goals while in charge at Chorley, Griffiths saw his old club return to provoke similar pain at Parkside.

Netherfield had tirelessly hussled Chorley out of their stride for long periods especially in the first half, when they might hasve had more to show than Paul Foster's superb angled header from a right-wing cross in the first half in the 12th minute.

Foster had earlier hit a post and later only a brilliant tackle by Ian Leather prevented ex-Magpie Danny Kent from doubling the home side's lead.

The nearest Chorley came before the break was when keeper Henry Heighton fumbled an Adam Critchley header and was lucky to see it bounce kindly for him off the upright.

The Magpies responded to Wright's roasting by putting Netherfield under sustained pressure particularly in the final quarter. Neil Mitchell had a goal-bound shot deflected for a corner and an Ian Barker snapshot on the turn flew just wide.

But the home defence held on determinedly and looked to have secured the points when two minutes into stoppage time substitute Paul Allen's well flighted cross was met by Simon Kay with a towering header which left Heighton helpless.

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