PROLIFIC striker Terry Fearns bagged a brace as Chorley beat their higher tier visitors and pocketed the £4,500 prize for reaching the third qualifying round.

It was a tenacious display from the Magpies and manager Steve Waywell’s midweek spying mission on Ashton paid dividends as talisman Fearns scored his ninth and 10th goals of the campaign.

But while Fearns stole the scoring honours it was rangy strike-partner Chris Amadi who repeatedly unhinged the Ashton defence and laid on both goals.

The Magpies were ahead after nine minutes.

Amadi whipped over a centre from the right and Fearns ghosted in to ram the ball from two yards. And he could have added a second soon after, only a smart reflex save by Terry Smith keeping out his fierce 15-yards volley.

Ashton’s neat approach work steadily built up pressure and Zac Hibbert had to dash out to save from Iain Howard.

The visitors’ equaliser, however, was merely delayed, Matty O’Neill stealing in at the back post to slide home a cross just before the break.

Chorley were forced to pack their defence as Ashton pressed repeatedly in the second half but Amadi’s pace and strength provided a ready outlet and he fired a warning shot with a thunderous 35-yard drive just over the bar.

Then on 68 minutes Amadi supplied a low centre which Fearns met with a stooping header that squirmed through the hands of the Ashton keeper.

Amadi twice narrowly failed to confirm Chorley’s victory with raking cross-shots but as Ashton fought to the finish substitute Josh Kenworthy rescued the Magpies with a goal-line clearance in the closing minutes.

“It was a great performance against a very good side,” said Waywell.

“Playing five at the back was the key and they never really got in behind us. Terry Fearns showed once again what a top striker he is.”