Eastwood Town 0 Chorley 1

CHORLEY completed their away fixtures by recording a ninth victory on their travels this term but at the cost of a serious injury to leading scorer Ian Barker, who sustained torn ligaments in an innocuous looking early challenge.

In a typically open end of season game, Eastwood, playing down the slope, had the better of the first half. But their numerous attempts at goal either flew too high or were safely gathered by the dependable Simon Marsh. The keeper was relieved to see a powerful diving header from Jay Bonser clear the bar but twice made first class saves from Gary Warboys.

In between these efforts, Chorley's Simon Kay got in a telling header from a corner, but impressive young keeper Danny Bryant held the ball just under the angle of post and bar.

The Magpies snatched the lead on 44 minutes when Martin Chadbourne stumbled on the ball in midfield, allowing substitute Stuart Parkinson to steal possession and race away unchallenged to tuck the ball cleverly past Bryant.

Chorley exerted greater control after the break but it was only in the last ten minutes that they created clear chances to add to their lead. But they could not beat Bryant, who distinguished himself with a tremendous double save from Parkinson and Jon Senior and then when Paul Allen teed up Senior again the youngster went down to save his fiercely struck shot in fine style.

With just two home games to come, the Magpies now have an excellent chance of a top ten finish.