CHORLEY...1 WITTON ALBION...2

THIS keenly-contested match, vital to both teams' hopes of reaching a UniBond First Division play-off spot, went Witton's way as the Magpies were left to rue missed chances at a crucial stage of the game.

Albion had the boost of a goal after just five minutes when Simon Burton burst into the box and rifled a shot into the net off the underside of the bar, keeper Simon Marsh appearing slow to react at his near post.

But if Marsh was at fault here, he was to redeem himself with fine saves late in the game as Witton finished clearly on top.

The Magpies recovered from the early setback and visiting keeper Kevin Whitehead had to be alert to turn a curling effort from Dave Leaver round the post.

Apart from a dangerous breakaway by the ever-troublesome Burton from whom Marsh saved well, Witton did not threaten to add to their lead in the first half.

And Chorley deservedly equalised in the 42nd minute when defender Lee Molyneaux rose to meet Peter Smyth's free-kick and power a magnificent header into the corner of the net.

The turning-point came in the opening ten minutes of the second period when the quicksilver David Eatock carved out two glorious chances for Chorley to take control only to see both of them wasted.

First he skipped past Whitehead who had raced out of the box and squared the ball to the unmarked Ian Barker whose sidefooted strike at goal was scrambled off the line by a covering defender. Then when Eatock left Smyth with just Whitehead to beat, the keeper pulled off a great reflex save to beat aside his 15-yard drive.

Albion reasserted themselves after this double let-off and Burton's fierce shot was deflected onto a post.

They regained the lead from the penalty spot on 70 minutes when Ian Leather was adjudged guilty of pushing in a goalmouth scramble, Brian Pritchard making no mistake with the kick.

The Magpies never looked like finding a second equaliser and only brave saves by Marsh from the persevering Burton and Paul Crompton prevented Albion from extending their advantage in the closing stages.

Chorley badly missed unavailable leading scorer Andy Mason to add weight up front against a strong Witton side whose work-rate suggested that they have what it takes to make at least the play-offs.