A HATFUL of missed chances cost the Magpies another damaging defeat as their sequence without a win in the UniBond First Division was extended to seven matches.

Chorley could, and should, have had this game sewn up in the first 20 minutes, so readily did they open up an initially unconvincing Guiseley defence.

Andy Mason and David Eatock linked well up front to create the openings but the clinical finish was missing.

From Mason's lay-off, Eatock fired straight at keeper John Lamb in the third minute and then Mason connected firmly with a right wing cross but his header from three yards whistled just over the bar.

And when Mason freed Eatock a second time his fiercely-struck shot flashed past Lamb but also past the post.

A Chorley goal surely had to come but it didn't and Guiseley went in front against the run of play in the 28th minute when Nick Hey cut in from the left and Simon Marsh at full stretch could only palmhis angled shot into the path of Andrew Shuttleworth who could not miss from three yards.

Still the Magpies created chances and Eatock's cross-shot beat Lamb but bounced beyond the far post. Next Mason spotted Lamb out of position but his intelligent lob fell just over the Guiseley crossbar.

There was no immediate change in the pattern of play after the break and Danny Mills ought to have equalised within ten minutes. Lamb spilled Mason's stinging shot but Mills following up could only drag his attempted placement wide.

Guiseley, however, were defending solidly and confidently and Chorley's scoring chances dried up.

The visitors began to look increasingly dangerous on the break and came close to a second goal when David Cooke's low drive following a corner beat Marsh but was hacked off the goal-line.

A number of stoppages caused Chorley to lose momentum and in the closing stages they seldom threatened the Guiseley goal.

Ken Wright handed a debut to much-travelled midfielder Harvey Cunningham who contributed promisingly in the first half before fading after the interval.

But in this match the three points were there for the taking and Chorley simply cannot afford to be so wasteful now that they stand a mere five points above the relegation places.

CHORLEY...0

GUISELEY...1