A BRILLIANT second-half show by Chorley stunned Stockport and made it four wins out of four for the Magpies since the two clubs joined the National League North together last season.

It was the complete away performance and took Chorley to within three points of a play-offs slot.

County shaded an action-packed first half but there was no stopping Matt Jansen’s men in the second period and they could easily have added a couple more to the winning margin.

The hosts were in overdrive from the start and Sam Ashton had to be alert to deny Micah Evans in the opening minutes. County posed a real threat in the early exchanges but the Magpies’ defence stood firm.

Josh Hine could, however, have put the visitors in front after intercepting a poor defensive header but his well-struck shot was saved at the near post.

Then home striker Kaye Odejayi missed badly, scuffing his shot in front of goal after controlling a pin-point cross. Later only a well-timed sliding block by Kieran Charnock prevented the same player from redeeming himself.

Chorley went ahead on 39 minutes, the rain-saturated surface playing a part as Jake Cottrell’s speculative 30-yard drive skidded under keeper Ian Ormson. But the lead lasted only two minutes, Jake Kirby spinning to fire a stunning equaliser high into the net from the edge of the box.

Chorley seized control immediately after the break and Andy Bond, cutting inside, coolly lifted the ball over Ormson only to see Paul Connolly make a brilliant goal-line clearance.

But the marauding Magpies were not to be denied for long and regained the lead in the 53rd minute. An under-hit back-pass put Ormson under pressure and the alert Darren Stephenson nipped in to score.

It got even better for Chorley on 63 minutes when from a counter-attack Hine raced onto a long through-ball and steered it beyond an exposed Ormson. The keeper then saved well with his legs when substitute James Dean whipped in a fierce shot.

Stockport posed little threat in a one-sided second half and their bad day turned sour five minutes from time when Lewis Montrose picked up a red card for a reckless challenge on Mark Ross.

It was the signal for hundreds of home fans in a crowd of 3,408 to stream for the exits, while some 250 Chorley supporters acclaimed their team’s display.