Battle royal

THIS clash between the UniBond First Division's fifth and sixth placed sides proved to be a battle royal with some crunching exchanges in a fierce tussle for midfield supremacy.

In the end, a draw was the fitting result.

When the Magpies finally cracked the Ossett defence to score a magnificent goal on the hour, it looked like being decisive, but the enterprising visitors never let up and a strong late rally created several clear-cut chances and finally a deserved equaliser five minutes from time.

A blistering start by Ossett had Chorley hanging on desperately and Simon Marsh pulled off a smart save with his legs to deny Matt Smithard.

Chorley's goal triggered increasing second-half excitement. David Eatock cleverly turned his marker in midfield and his intelligent pass was controlled by Danny Mills who coolly held off a defender's sustained challenge in a 30-yard run before beating Mick Clark with a rising drive.

But Chorley could not find the all-important second goal and Ossett should have levelled when Michael Midwood planted a free header wide.

For the Magpies Paul Fleming was unlucky to see his diving header fly just over the angle, but Ossett finally salvaged a point when the tireless Midwood ran at a retreating home defence before firing low inside Marsh's left-hand post.