CHORLEY maintained their excellent away form by completing a hat trick of successful raids into Yorkshire.

However, the Magpies' victory was not as clearcut as the score suggests, and Harrogate, seeking a club record eleventh match unbeaten, contributed to their own downfall.

Damian Henderson and Scott Bairstow both headed straight at Chorley keeper Simon Marsh from good positions during early home pressure before the Magpies went ahead with a well worked goal on 20 minutes.

Mark Simms' throw-in was cleverly flicked on by Keith Evans into the path of Eric Rostron who rifled home a low drive.

Harrogate's hopes took a further dive when Henderson was sent off shortly before half time, having been booked twice in two minutes.

As the home side pressed hard after the break, substitute Gary Chapman hit a post but Harrogate escaped when Colin Potts slid the ball wide.

The Magpies were gifted a second goal on 75 minutes when Bairstow's casual backpass went straight to Paul Allen who coolly sidestepped the keeper to score easily.

Eamonn Elliott gave Harrogate hope on 80 minutes when he turned in a left wing cross but Chorley were quick to exploit gaps at the back in the closing minutes.

Both Potts and Evans had strong efforts smartly saved before Evans squared the ball for Potts to tap in Chorley's third, seconds from full time.

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