Chorley 2 Hednesford 0

The Magpies took on Hednesford Town still without captain Andy Teague, Jake Cottrell and the suspended Kyle Jacobs and Harry Winter.

CHORLEY gave debuts to new signings Chris Doyle who was recruited from Morecambe and substitute Astley Mulholland who has arrived from FC United of Manchester.

After an uneventful opening Jack Dorney flashed the first meaningful attempt inches too high while at the other end Sam Ashton beat away Danny Glovers fierce drive.

Both sides struggled to create anything approaching a clear cut opening in a lacklustre first half before, and against all expectations, Chorley grabbed the lead on the stroke of half-time.

Dorney released Mark Ross and the full-back cut inside before beating keeper Dan Crane all ends up with a ferocious drive into the far corner.

Josh Hine had an early second half opportunity but his tame shot was comfortably smothered by Crane.

A flurry of Hednesford attacks saw Ashton forced to punch clear on three occasions before Doyle almost grabbed a debut goal, his header from Dale Whitham’s corner being cleared off the line.

On the hour mark a quick Chorley break produced the second goal.

Hine scampered clear down the right and though Crane blocked his shot the ball fell kindly to James Dean to fire home.

Dean almost made it three only to see Crane smartly turn his low drive round the upright.

Hednesford’s lightweight attack struggled to make much headway against the Magpies defence though Ashton had to be alert to grab Glover’s snap shot.

Ashton then did well to top over substitute Jamie Sullivan’s fierce shot before full-back James Hurst almost emulated Ross’s earlier effort only for the bar to intervene.

Overall the Magpies held on comfortably to return to winning ways with a deserved three points in front another fantastic attendance of 1,131.