TRAFFORD 1 CHORLEY 0

A STOPPAGE-time penalty ended Chorley's seven-match unbeaten run in the UniBond First Division as Trafford maintained their knack of ruffling the Magpies' feathers.

It is the third consecutive win for the Mancunians without conceding a goal against Chorley who again finished with only nine men, as in the corresponding fixture last season.

The Magpies enjoyed an early spell of supremacy and missed a fine chance to take a grip on the game when Adam Critchley raced in to meet a David Eatock free kick only to send his header over the bar.

Simon Marsh then made a terrific double save from dangerman Darren Emmett and Joe Murray, but Chorley faced an uphill struggle when centre back Ian Leather was sent off after 32 minutes following a second reckless challenge in the space of six minutes.

Nevertheless the visitors' defence, in which Greg Challender was outstanding, held firm against increasing pressure, but Chorley were rarely seen as an attacking force.

In the last quarter of a scrappy match, Emmett and Chris Patterson squandered a series of decent shooting chances but, just when Chorley seemed to have got away with a point, Patterson finally put a shot on target in the second minute of added time.

Skipper Paul Fleming assumed goalkeeping duties to tip the ball over the bar and was duly red-carded, his opposite number Emmett giving Marsh no chance from the inevitable spot kick.