CHORLEY boss Matt Jansen is refusing to rule out a late National League North play-off charge ahead of tonight's trip to Gloucester City.

The Magpies defeated Lowestoft Town on Saturday to make it four wins from five in the league with the only blip a home defeat at the hands of tonight's opponents.

And with Jansen's side nine points off the top five in eighth heading into the fixture, three points in the south west is imperative if Chorley are to keep alive their play-off dream.

"I am not discounting the play-offs," said Jansen. "It is a tough ask, eight wins possibly nine then we will be there.

"Can we do it? The way we are playing we can, it is just consistency, a bit of the rub of the green and a bit of luck and if we get that then who knows?"

Chorley have 12 games remaining this season but only two of them - a home match with Boston and a trip to leaders Solihull Moors - are against sides currently in the top six.

And Jansen is hoping that his side can continue their fine run of recent form, which has also seen them reach the Lancashire Challenge Trophy final, tonight and gain revenge on Gloucester for the 1-0 reverse at Victory Park just two weeks ago.

"The game that they came here was a non-event really," said Jansen. "We were a little bit flat and they were also. A set piece killed the game and unfortunately for us they got the set piece goal. Hopefully we will make amends for that on Tuesday night."

Jansen was able to hand a debut to new loan signing Kiel O'Brien in the weekend win over Lowestoft and the Magpies boss was pleased with how the defender, who is back at Chorley for a second spell, performed.

"He did very well. He hasn't played a lot of minutes of late. He is not 100 per cent match fit," said Jansen of the 28-year-old centre back. "It was a precaution to take him off after 55-60 minutes."

O'Brien was part of the Chorley squad who won the Evo-Stik League Premier Division title in 2014 before the defender left for a Football League chance with Bury.

Injuries have hampered his progress but he recently completed a successful loan spell at FC Halifax in the National League and Jansen will be hoping to get the best out of the fit-again defender.

"His credentials speak for themselves," Jansen added. "He is an athlete, a good player, he's got a good football brain and hopefully he will be a brilliant addition for us."