Chorley cruised to an easy but important victory on a day when their closest rivals all won.

The impressively fluent Magpies, dominant from the start, and Andrew Teague headed them in front from a Tom Ince corner after six minutes.

Andy Russell’s smart shot on the turn from eight yards doubled the lead on the half-hour. And only a brilliant reflex save prevented the John Cunliffe from adding a third before the break.

Two goals in as many minutes shortly after half-time killed the contest.

Cunliffe bravely dived in at the near post to bundle home Ince’s free kick and then Dale Whitham netted the goal of the game, his seventeenth of the season.

Fastening onto a clever Adam Roscoe pass, Whitham expertly lifted a dipping shot beyond the advancing keeper.

Manager Garry Flitcroft shuffled the pack in the last half-hour and Trafford enjoyed more possession without seriously testing Chorley keeper Lloyd Rigby.

The Magpies missed some inviting chances to improve their goal-difference – sub Matt Jansen hitting the bar – and in the closing minutes keeper Lloyd Rigby denied Trafford a consolation goal with a penalty save.