CHORLEY boss Matt Jansen was ‘immensely proud’ of his side after they produced what he described as one of their best performances in the season at Salford City.

But Jansen admitted the cruelty of football caught up with his side as they conceded a late equaliser at Moor Lane after Jack Sampson had fired the Magpies in front.

That equaliser for the Ammies, coupled with Kidderminster Harriers’ 92nd minute winner at Tamworth so Chorley fall from second to fourth, but Jansen believes promotion is within reach if they can match this performance level from now until the end of the season.

“We’ve dominated the game from start to finish, got it front against a good side at their place. It’s probably one of the best performances of our season,” he said.

“I’m distraught for the lads but they’re going to keep their heads held high, they will get loads of confidence from that game because they showed how good they were.

“I thought we had more of the chances and more of the play (in the first half), we went in front, but it’s the last kick of the game virtually. It’s a cruel game at times.

“Even their manager said we dominated the game and they deserved nothing out of it. We battered a good side who are gunning for promotion and if we can put in the same performance from now until the end of the season we shouldn’t have any problems.

Jansen added: “It was a fantastic performance from every single one of them. There was blood, sweet and tears.

“The lads are gutted with they way we’ve conceded and drawn the game when we should have comfortably taken three points from it.

“That half a percent that was missing at Harrogate was there tonight and if we can do that from now until the end of the season we’ll have no problems.

“I’m immensely proud of the lads, they showed such character and such energy and proved how good they are.”

Jansen also reserved praise for the travelling Chorley fans.

“The fans were brilliant, they got behind us and that drives you on and keeps us going,” he said. “Win, lose or draw if the fans can keep being positive with us from now until the end of the season we should be ok.”