WITH both teams eyeing a play-offs spot, this was a predictably tight encounter but Stocksbridge will be happier with a point than the Magpies, who missed out on the chance to close the five-point gap between the two clubs.

The Magpies broke the deadlock on 66 minutes when Jamie Vermiglio slipped a clever pass to Chris Thompson inside the box and he produced a quality finish with a shot which dipped just under the bar.

The visitors threw on all three substitutes in a bid to save the game and the ploy ultimately succeeded, but not before Joe Gibbons had fluffed a great chance to secure the points for Chorley.

Thompson's precise centre left Gibbons with a free header from six yards but he nodded the ball down and saw it bounce over the ba.

Seconds later, in the 83rd minute, the visitors were level. A throw in on the left caused confusion in the home defence and substitute Ross Hannah stabbed a tame shot at goal.

But with keeper Phil Priestley caught out of position defender Graham Tench could only help the ball into his own net for a very scrappy equaliser.