VICTORY Park crowd-favourite, James Dean, rediscovered his striking prowess in real style to propel Chorley into the FA Cup third qualifying round with the two goals which settled this tricky tie in the Magpies’ favour.

Evo-Stik Premier Division Frickley, enjoying a real resurgence this season, had clearly not come just to make up the numbers and gave their higher-tier hosts a real game until Dean struck on the hour for his first goal of the season and then wrapped up the proceedings with a wonderful solo strike two minutes from time.

A very open game played in an excellent spirit produced plenty of pace but few clear-cut chances in the first half, the visitors coming closest when Sam Ashton had to get down smartly at the near post to keep out a well-struck shot from Luke Hinsley. Warming to his task, Dean fired a couple of sighting-shots from distance and got in several headers which either flew just wide or were easily gathered by keeper Sebastian Malkowski.

For Frickley, the tricky Tyler Williams skimmed the bar with a powerful 35-yards’ snap-shot shortly before Dean put the Magpies ahead on the hour. Darren Stephenson was chopped down as he cut in along the by-line and the referee pointed immediately to the spot, Dean stepping up to give Malkowski no chance with a powerful trademark penalty.

The goal seemed to draw Frickley’s sting as Chorley took a grip on the game but the visitors’ star striker Jacob Hazel was not far off-target with a quickly-taken 20-yard shot on the turn. That apart, Frickley had little joy, especially in the air, against an uncompromising Magpies’ defence ably marshalled by Andy Teague and Chris Doyle.

On 88 minutes, with Frickley pushing up in a bid to snatch an equaliser, Dean finished the match with a flourish, racing clear to beat Malkowski with a cracking low shot.