CHORLEY banished the blues of their midweek FA Cup exit with this workmanlike National League North win over a dogged Brackley side who defended resolutely but lacked a cutting edge up front.

But the Magpies had to be patient before securing the decisive goal in the 77th minute.

Star of the show was Darren Stephenson, whose pacey bursts down the left lit up an otherwise undistinguished match. So it was fitting that Stephenson should be the match-winner. Controlling a long ball from Mark Ross, he beat keeper Sam Hornby from 12 yards.

Chorley made most of the running from the start, though it was Brackley who had the chance to open the scoring in the early minutes but Glenn Walker fluffed the short-range chance and scooped the ball wide.

Chorley stretched the Brackley defence with a series of corners in the first half, from one of which Kieran Charnock headed inches over the bar.

There was little change to the pattern of play after the break, with Stephenson the Magpies’ main outlet. And with a goalless stalemate looming, he finally delivered the three points to the great delight of the home fans in a crowd of 982. As for Brackley, they will need to be sharper up front if they are to embarrass League Two visitors Newport County in next weekend’s FA Cup first round tie.