MATT Jansen’s first match in charge brought Chorley a very creditable draw against a strong Preston North End squad in front of a superb crowd of 2,022 at Victory Park.

Simon Grayson gave 21 players a run-out and the Lilywhites had experience all over the park in both halves of a slow-burning contest in which Chorley competed particularly well.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Jansen also made nine changes at the interval but his players continued to hold their own impressively and had a couple of chances to snatch victory in the last half-hour when both Jake Cottrell and Chris Almond just failed to squeeze inviting passes beyond ‘keeper James Jones.

The clearest opportunity to break the deadlock came North End’s way in the 74th minute when home ‘keeper Sam Ashton was adjudged to have fouled Joe Garner as they contested a loose ball but Garner’s penalty cannoned out off the angle of post and bar.

Ashton redeemed himself with a smart reflex save to deny Paul Huntington late on as the Championship side sought to make their enhanced status tell but overall Chorley had done enough to earn a very honourable draw.

The Jack Kirkland Trophy, competed for annually by the two teams, will therefore this season be shared as a result of the stalemate.

Meanwhile, Nelson played out their second 2-2 draw in a week after coming from behind at Holker Old Boys in their latest pre-season friendly.

Another mixed side was selected that includes three players from the youth/development squad and four trialists who were mixed in with Phil Doughty, Jake Lloyd, Ollie Devenney and Paul Fildes.

Mike Rushton’s quick double put Holker in the clear but after a fairly abject first period for the Admirals, they came to life going up the hill at Holker and gave a good account of themselves to tie the match up.

A spell of prolonged pressure was rewarded on the hour when a flick-on fell to Fildes who chipped the onrushing goalkeeper to reduce the arrears.

With 10 minutes to play Fildes drew the Admirals level.

Following some good interchange combination play the striker found a yard of space on the edge of the box and hit a low curling effort past the despairing dive of the Holker goalkeeper.