Boston United 0 Chorley 0

CHORLEY emerged with a well-deserved point from a full-blooded contest which despite the absence of goals provided gripping entertainment.

An end-to-end game could have gone either way and if the home side had the greater number of chances, they were matched by a stout visiting defence which gave nothing away.

The intensity of the play reached fever-pitch seven minutes from time when Magpies’ midfielder Harry Winter’s fully committed tackle led to a melee and earned him a straight red card – his third of the season.

Chorley almost snatched an early lead when keeper Joel Dixon could not gather an awkward back-pass and Darren Stephenson’s effort was kicked off the line. The Pilgrims, however, were causing problems at the other end.

The lively Dayle Southwell saw a drive deflected over and then landed a header on the roof of the Chorley net. There was a close call for Chorley when Mark Jones rattled the bar and Southwell’s header was brilliantly saved by Aaron Grundy.

As the Magpies hit back, Stephenson had a shot charged down and Josh Hine broke through but under pressure poked his shot wide.

Fog enshrouded the ground for the second half and it appeared that Scott Garner three times went close for Boston before Hine forced Dixon to pull off a good parrying save from his angled drive, the loose ball being hacked to safety. Chorley continued to probe and looked all set to grab the lead through Chris Simm only for Liam Marrs to rescue Boston with a goal-line clearance.

Even Winter’s late dismissal failed to unhinge the visitors’ resolute defensive work and they saw the game out for a hard-earned point "It wasn’t a dirty challenge, he won the ball," said Flitcroft of the Winter dismissal. "I’m gutted for him.

"We showed what a good side we are. I felt we dominated Boston in the second half and even deserved to win the game."