CHORLEY 2 BRADFORD PA 1

CHORLEY manager Ken Wright received a magnum of champagne before the kick off as part of the December club-of-the-month award and there was plenty more fizz to follow as the confident Magpies extended their winning run to go fifth in the UniBond First Division.

It needed a fiery display to wear down a forceful title-chasing team and Chorley showed great composure in defending solidly and hitting Bradford to maximum effect on the break.

Andy Mason was unlucky to see his cross-cum-shot bounce twice on the Bradford bar before man of the match Greg Challender put Chorley ahead in the 26th minute, stealing ahead of his marker to plant a firm header past Gavin Kelly from Peter Smyth's free kick.

Avenue upped the temp to equalise on 43 minutes when keeper Simon Marsh was unable to claim the ball amid a ruck of players and Phil Denney had the simple task of steering it into the empty net.

Bradford pressed repeatedly in the second half, but were held up by a resolute Magpies defence marshalled magnificently by Challender and Ian Leather. Marsh pulled off one superb full length save from top scorer Andy Hayward before.

Chorley broke through on 58 minutes David Eatock released Mason down the right and he beat Kelly with a cleverly placed shot which want in off the far post.

Only a great save by Kelly denied substitute Matt Swailes a third for Chorley. Avenue's last chance of a point disappeared when Marsh acrobatically tipped over a thumping point-blank header from Hayward.

CHORLEY manager Ken Wright received a magnum of champagne before the kick off as part of the December club-of-the-month award and there was plenty more fizz to follow as the confident Magpies extended their winning run to go fifth in the UniBond First Division.

It needed a fiery display to wear down a forceful title-chasing team.

Greg Challender put Chorley ahead in the 26th minute, stealing ahead of his marker to plant a firm header past Gavin Kelly from Peter Smyth's free kick. Avenue upped the temp to equalise on 43 minutes when keeper Simon Marsh was unable to claim the ball amid a ruck of players and Phil Denney steered it into the empty net.

Chorley netted the winner on 58 minutes David Eatock released Mason and he beat Kelly with a shot which went in off the far post. Marsh though did pull off a great save late on.