Winsford United 1 Chorley 2

A GOAL in the third minute of added time at the Barton Stadium last night secured what could prove to be three priceless points for Chorley in their bid to beat the drop.

The match was inevitably a full-bloodied affair with Winsford lining up against no fewer than seven of their former players but, though there were seven bookings, the game never got out of hand.

Chorley were good value for their victory, holding the upper hand for much of the match despite going behind to a fourth minute penalty. After Simon Marsh had saved well from Joe Roberts, Matt Harmer handled the loose ball and Alan Hockenhull scored easily from the spot.

A period of sustained pressure brought Chorley level on 39 minutes when Winsford keepr John Bagnall could not hold a Darren Quick header from a corner and Colin Lambert rifled the ball into the net. The Magpies withstood a Winsford rally midway through the second half when Marsh made a crucial if unorthodox save with his legs from Andy Bridge and then Harmer struck his own post with a wild attempt to clear.

But Chorley regained their grip to snatch their late winner. Gary Thomas' header from a free kick was knocked down and in the ensuing melee Eddie Hussin reacted quickest to smash the ball into the roof of the net from close range.

With Chorley and Accrington Stanley battling for 21st place and the real prospect of avoiding relegation, the eight-point gap which the Magpies have opened up on the Reds could be decisive. Stanley have two games in hand with five to play.

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