A DOUBLE burst of scoring fire in the opening 15 minutes effectively settled this high-noon UniBond first division shoot-out in Chorley's favour to the delight of the majority in a bumper holiday crowd of 513 at Victory Park.

Although Bridge bravely took the game to their local rivals after this disastrous start, they lacked the cutting edge to round off several promising build-ups and it was the home side's more occasional forays which looked more likely to add to the scoreline.

David Eatock gave Chorley the ideal start in the eighth minute, arriving unmarked at the back post to turn in Dean Butterworth's excellent cross from the by-line.

Jamie Bates was then denied a second by a brave block by keeper Cyril Shorrock as the Bridge defence was quickly opened up again.

But the Magpies were not to be denied for long.

Shorrock smartly turned a fine low drive from Chris Patterson away from goal and from the resulting corner Eatock swung over a centre which Anthony Hogan raced in to meet with a flashing header which gave the keeper no chance.

Bridge's bold response saw Ian Leather whip the ball off the toe of the dangerous Alan Spence as he broke through on goal and then Lee Bracey rushed out to block Mark Wane's goalbound effort.

Chorley almost went three up just after the interval, Lee Southwood's bullet header from a Darren Emmett free kick skimming the post.

Wane was then unlucky to see Phil Bayliss boot his well-placed header from a corner off the Chorley line with Bracey beaten.

As play swung from end to end, Emmett's thunderous volley was fortuitously diverted past the post by defender Phil Robinson before Bridge shipped a killer third goal of real quality on 77 minutes.

Patterson's well-flighted corner was headed on by Emmett and the ever-alert Eatock timed his run perfectly to plant a firm header past Shorrock. The strike finally drained the visitors' resistance but in stoppage time the persevering Wane bagged a consolation goal, deceiving Bracey with a looping effort which the keeper fumbled into the net. This was Chorley's third straight win and it keeps them handily placed among the promotion-chasing top five.

CHORLEY...3

BAMBER BRIDGE...1