CHORLEY put themselves in the driving seat for the UniBond First Division play-offs with a comfortable win over already-relegated Eastwood.
The Magpies are now fifth and a maximum six points from their two remaining games would guarantee them a trip to the club finishing third from bottom in the Premier Division, in the play-offs semi-final.
Victory on Saturday was never really in doubt against a team without a league win since October and Chorley went ahead on 16 minutes when Lee Wilkinson's inswinging centre was bundled over the line by Ian Barker.
It was well worth the wait until the 40th minute for Chorley's second goal as full back Paul Varley left two defenders in his wake before supplying a pin-point cross which Wilkinson nonchalantly headed home at the back post.
The icing was applied to the Chorley cake on 85 minutes with another classy goal as Wilkinson released Barker down the left and he crossed invitingly for substitute Andy Mason to flash a perfectly-timed header into the corner, Chorley's 100th league and cup goal of the season.
But Eastwood had the last word when sluggishness in organising a defensive wall allowed Jamie McGowan to clip in a quickly-taken free kick.
This victory took the final points total from home matches this season to 43, a haul not bettered since Chorley won the Northern Premier League title in 1988.
Attention now turns to tonight's derby against Bamber Bridge at Irongate, as the Magpies go in search of three of the six points needed for their place in the promotion shoot-out.
Rossendale United lost 3-0 at Spennymoor United on Saturday, and today Jim McBride's side plays host to Radcliffe Borough.
CHORLEY...3
EASTWOOD TOWN...1
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