IT WAS celebrations all round at Victory Park as Chorley finally delivered their first league win at home this season. And in the process they at last laying their Belper bogy, putting one over the Nailers for the first time in thirteen UniBond First Division meetings.

In terms of chances created, the Magpies were full value for their victory but the lack of insurance from a second goal ensured that home fans endured a nail-biting last twenty minutes as Belper sought to snatch a point.

Anthony Bowden struck the vital goal in the 16th minute. Receiving the ball some 25 yards out when a corner was knocked back to him, he drilled a superb shot straight as an arrow into the top left-hand corner past a motionless Andy Carney. The Belper keeper later acrobatically turned over a fierce drive from Gary Martindale as a quiet half came to a close.

There was goalmouth action aplenty as the tempo increased in a lively second half. Martindale drew another great save out of Carney with a stinging shot, while at the other end Laurence Hall dragged his effort wide from Belper's clearest chance so far. The referee unaccountably failed to award Chorley a penalty when Jamie Vermiglio was bowled over as he surged into the box and then Peter Wright, put through by Bowden's measured pass, saw Carney spread himself well to block his shot.

Belper, however, were coming much more into the game and Chorley keeper Phil Priestley did exceptionally well to rush out and save at the feet of Andy Rushbury.

As the chances continued to come, a defender cleared off the Belper line from the luckless Martindale and Wright was only just off-target with another quickly-taken strike. But in the closing minutes Priestley saved the day for the Magpies with a stunning reaction save from a powerful Will Davies header.

The win lifts Chorley into the top half of the table and within striking distance of the play-offs positions, a target which will be attainable if they can more consistently turn the chances they are creating into goals.