A trademark opportunist chip from the NPL Premier Division’s leading marksman Steve Foster was enough to take Chorley back to the top of the table and leave their hosts still searching for a first win of the season. But only goal-difference puts the Magpies ahead of unbeaten Northwich Victoria who visit Victory Park for a mouth-watering clash tomorrow (Tuesday) evening.

Chorley were good value for their victory, their composed defence limiting Whitby to few shooting chances and in the process keeping a fourth ‘clean-sheet’ in seven games. The winning goal arrived on 16 minutes soon after a near miss by Foster from Simon Whaley’s inviting centre. A long clearance by Andrew Teague was collected by Foster who, spotting veteran keeper David Campbell off his line, coolly chipped the ball into the net from 25 yards.

In a rare moment of danger for the visitors, keeper Russ Saunders dashed off his line to close down Andy Campbell who was clear on goal but then Chorley should have gone two up when Teague raced in but planted a bullet header wide from Adam Roscoe’s pinpoint cross.

Dale Whitham was only just off-target with a 35-yards snap-shot as the Magpies kept up the momentum after the interval and Wayne Maden, back to his dominant best at centre-back, appeared to have made the points safe twenty minutes from time with a powerful downward header but he was penalised for climbing on a defender.

A one-goal lead is never secure and the sizeable contingent of Chorley fans held their breath late on as substitute Andy Russell athletically executed a remarkable goalmouth clearance to prevent Whitby’s Matty Tymon from finding the corner of the net with a well-placed shot.