A GRITTY performance brought Chorley a second successive league win and clean sheet to ease their worries in the UniBond First Division basement.

Revenge over high-riding Mossley, who fortuitously nicked three points in last month's first meeting, came at a price as inspirational midfielder Jamie Vermiglio had to hobble off midway through the second half after taking another bad blow on his damaged ankle.

Mossley played neat football in midfield but lacked the final thrust to crack a determined Magpies' defence in which centre backs Ian Callaghan and Neil Smith were towers of strength.

Chorley should have had more to show for first-half dominance than Vermiglio's 13th minute penalty, awarded when David Eatock chased a through ball into the box and was up-ended by former Magpies keeper Lee Bracey.

Mossley were denied an equaliser when Richard Fogarty headed off the line from a corner with John Gillies well beaten.

Mossley featured more prominently in the second half but Chorley defended resolutely to hang on to the win.

Lee Horrocks just failed to connect close-in after a header from a corner had been played into the goalmouth and only a sharp near-post save by Bracey diverted a ferocious angled volley >from Smith.

with great resolutionto denythem a clear shot on goal. Substitute Anthony Coyne shot tamely wide >from the visitors' best opening before the Magpies missed two presentable late chances to wrap up the points.