CHORLEY player-boss Mark Molyneaux was all smiles after his first opening day victory in five years as a manager - but this tussle in sweltering conditions at Victory Park was not the sort of stirring local derby likely to linger in the memory.

The Magpies deserved their narrow win for at least mustering a handful of shots on target.

Dale boss Jim McCluskie, on the other hand, must have left the ground wondering how his team containing three such proven goalscorers as new boys Gary Williams, Gary Jensen and Craig Sargeson could fail to get a decent crack at goal all afternoon.

Dale's strikers were repeatedly shut out by Chorley's outstanding central defensive pair Ian Leather and Billy McCartney, though Jensen had two presentable chances to put his side ahead in a disappointing featureless first half.

Molyneaux rushed out of his goal to close down Jensen as he prepared to shoot from eight yards and later United's new signing cleverly worked himself an opening on the left only to lift his shot high over as he cut inside.

At the other end, the lively Darren Emmett had threatened to draw first blood with a jinking run and fierce shot which hit the side netting and he later forced Dale keeper Mark Andrews to turn a wickedly inswinging corner to safety at his back post.

The match finally sprang into life in the 51st minute with a neatly worked Chorley goal. David Eatock headed down Moyneaux's long punt to Dean Butterworth whose instant through ball released Joe Murray and he drew Andrews before calmly steering his shot just inside the left post.

Emmett rifled a 30 yard drive narrowly wide as the Magpies sought to increase their lead but the introduction of Gareth Gardner for Jensen, allowing Williams to take up a more central role, pepped up Dale who pressed forward increasingly but without opening up a solid home defence.

Butterworth almost put Chorley two up, his crafty near post flick from Emmett's low centre grazing the upright and then Emmett brought a great save out of Andrews with a raking low shot.

With time running out, Dale pressed strongly and a poor back pass in stoppage time allowed Paul Lynch to round Molyneaux but his shot from the tightest of angles sailed beyond the far post.

Although on the day, Chorley looked the more settled unit, Dale were particulary well served by Chris Fitzsimmons in defence and the hard-working Lynch and Matt Knowles in midfield.

Once they rediscover their goalscoring flair they will surely be a force to be reckoned with in the First Division.

McCluskie remained upbeat: "I think we just needed that game after a dodgy pre season playing against some moderate oppotition.

"The main difference was that Chroley took one of their chances and we didn't.

"I thought we could have nicked a point at the end but it didn't work out that way."

His Chorley counterpart refused to get carried away.

"I was unhappy with our first half peromance," said Molyneaux. "But we dug in and got the vital goal. We will settle for that on the opening day and take it on from here."

CHORLEY...1

ROSSENDALE UTD...0