CHORLEY reaffirmed their favourite status in the Lancashire Challenge Trophy as the Magpies cruised into the semi-finals with a 7-1 win over AFC Darwen.

Clitheroe joined Garry Flitcroft’s side in the last four after they won 2-1 at Bamber Bridge.

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The East Lancashire pair will be joined by in Monday’s draw by North West Counties League First Division duo Atherton Collieries and Holker Old Boys.

Conference North side Chorley are now overwhelming favourites to lift the title a year on from a final defeat to AFC Fylde at the home of Bolton Wanderers and they blew Darwen apart in Tuesday’s last eight tie.

After an even start when Darwen’s Kallum Banks hit the bar, Chris Simm put the hosts in front on 22 minutes and three minutes later Josh Hine doubled the lead from the penalty spot.

The Salmoners were still in the game at half time but Chorley scored four times in nine second half minutes to put the result beyond doubt. Jack Dorney hit a quickfire brace before Jack Lynch got on the scoresheet. An own goal made it six before Darwen’s Ryan Steele missed a penalty.

Hine added a seventh in the final minutes before Connor Gaul netted a late consolation for the Salmoners in front of a crowd of 302.

Simon Garner’s Clitheroe booked their spot in the final four courtesy of a quickfire start at Bamber Bridge.

Sefton Gonzalez put the visitors in front inside the opening minute and Alex Ralph doubled the lead after only three minutes.

Both strikes were long-range efforts worthy of winning any game and Clitheroe, who are 11 points behind Brig in the Evo-Stik League Premier Division, were able to hold on in awful conditions.

Andrew Dawber made several fine saves in the Blues goal and when he was finally beaten, by Matt Lawlor’s header five minutes from time, it was too late to affect the outcome.