FREE-scoring league leaders Chorley again advertised their credentials as serious title contenders with an impressive demolition of Durham.

City forced a series of early corners and Aaron Grundy had to tip over a stinging drive before the Magpies got into the game.

The opening goal on 24 minutes had a touch of fortune about it, defender Arjun Purewal turning Tom Walker’s fizzing low centre into his own net The Magpies went two up on 43 minutes, Dale Whitham forcing Simm’s low cross into the net from point-blank range.

There was a blow for Chorley just before the interval when Jamie Vermiglio sustained a shoulder injury and had to go to hospital but the contest was effectively over three minutes into the second half when Andy Russell applied the finishing touch after the keeper could only parry Mark Houghton’s close-range flick.

Two top-class goals completed the scoring. Simm’s choice through ball sent Payne clear on 54 minutes and he coolly rounded the keeper to score.

Then on 74 minutes came the goal of the game.

Houghton’s nonchalant flick over a defender released substitute Tom Ince, who raced into the box to the by-line and drew the keeper to leave Simm with an open goal and the simplest of finishes.