CHORLEY celebrated a fine weekend as they eased into the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy and were also named as the Evo-Stik Premier Division’s club of the month.

The Magpies sit third in the league table but will also be in today’s draw for the next round of the FA Trophy after victory in Cambridgeshire.

Garry Flitcroft’s Magpies secured a fifth successive away victory and the scoreline did not fully reflect their control of the tie.

Although without skipper Andy Teague, who felt unwell in the warm-up, Chorley’s defence was as solid as usual and denied the Ryman League side a clear shot on goal until their surprising equaliser in first-half added time.

The Magpies had gone ahead in the 15th minute following a poor goal-kick by Soham’s debutant keeper Alex Taylor.

James Dean lofted a great ball to Josh Hine and the speedy striker’s instant control enabled him to fire home a superb cross-shot.

Soham posed little threat up front and a terrific double save by Taylor kept them in the match, as the keeper parried a shot from Adam Mather and then denied Dean.

But there was a shock for the visitors when Soham’s first meaningful shot brought an equaliser.

A free kick was only partially cleared and when the ball was returned centre back Jordan Gent rocketed a shot past Sam Ashton. Hine almost restored Chorley’s lead soon after the break when his precise header on the run struck a post but he did bag the decisive goal from the spot on the hour.

Hine was brought down by Taylor before effortlessly tucking away the penalty.