HONOURS were rightly even at the end of an absorbing match in which the high-octane performance of both teams in the first half could not quite be reproduced in the second.

Even so, the Magpies had a great chance to steal the points a minute from time but young debutant Josh Kenworthy fired over from six yards.

A quality Chorley build-up in the sixth minute led to Mike Eckersley setting up Steve Burke, whose cross-shot beat keeper Andy Robertson and Jordan Connerton tapped in at the far post.

Burke was then close to a second goal when his fierce drive just cleared the bar.

But Mossley’s raids carried real threat and they equalised on 23 minutes with the Magpies’ defence spreadeagled by a quick break.

Keeper Peter Collinge was forced to dash from goal to close down Danny Self but the striker got in an overhead kick, which eluded a defender’s attempt to clear and Danny Egan stabbed the ball home.