The recent departure of senior players has provided a window of opportunity for youngsters knocking at the door of Chorley's first-team squad.

Player-manager Shaun Teale said this week he was pleased that Adam Roscoe and Chris Bates had got on the scoresheet in the 5-1 win over Bacup Borough in last week's United Co-operatives Lancashire FA Trophy tie at Victory Park.

He said: "The cup tie was a good opportunity for the youngsters, and Andy Olsen might have done OK if he hadn't had to go off injured after a bad tackle in the first half.

"Since we released Ian Dickinson, Jamie Squires and Chris McGrath options have opened up for the young players in the reserves."

Teale added that he pleased at the degree of restraint his players showed against uncompromising Bacup in a win that took them through to the last 16 in the Lancashire Trophy.

He said: "There will always be matches against teams like these and the players just have to get on with it and not be dragged down."

After the postponement of the return game at Belper on Saturday because of a frozen pitch, Teale insisted he was not too bothered about missing the chance to build on the two home victories, as it gave him and Ray Stafford time concentrate on twice-weekly training sessions.

Also, they would have been without Jamie Price, who was unavailable and possibly Peter Wright, who had to leave the pitch on Tuesday because of a neck injury.

Chorley have a chance to pick up some home points when they meet Brigg Town at Victory Park on Saturday. Brigg are five points ahead of Chorley with 26 points from 18 matches, eight of which have been drawn and only four lost.

Teale is hopeful that striker Chris Thompson, will be back to full fitness following a hamstring injury.

The Brigg game will be followed by the visit of Ossett Albion, and after the December 10 trip to Stocksbridge the Magpies have two more home matches, against Woodley Sports and Bamber Bridge.

The kick-off for the Bamber Bridge match on Boxing Day has been brought forward to 11.30am.

Chorley Reserves were denied the chance to get back to winning ways when their Lancit Lancashire League match at Bamber Bridge was called off because of the Irongate pitch was frozen.

They lost 2-1 at Guiseley in midweek after leading with a Joe Gibbons goal from a Mark Toohey corner.

Guiseley fought back immediately and hit the post after a good move.

They were given a harsh penalty but Alistair Marland saved well _ his second stop in successive spot kicks.

The home side equalised after a goalmouth melee and pressed hard but were thwarted by a resolute back four, Jon Moffatt in particular catching the eye.

The goal that settled it came 10 minutes from time when a Guiseley forward smashed home an unstoppable drive from 22 yards.

Franny Barry hit a post and the linesman's flag denied Adam Millington, who beat the goalkeeper from the halfway line, but was ruled offside!