A MISSED penalty and an own goal consigned Chorley to their fifth defeat in six league matches.

The Magpies went behind when the visitors were awarded a dubious penalty on 24 minutes after keeper Mike Bingham came out of his area to clear but misjudged the bounce of the ball and was harshly adjudged to have impeded the onrushing Peter Knox.

David Eatock put Chorley level with another penalty seven minutes later after the excellent Jamie Vermiglio had been tripped in the area.

After the break Chorley looked much the better team but were guilty of squandering numerous chances.

Neil Zarak came on for the ineffectual David Gray but missed a header from close range. Chorley then fell behind when centre half Chris Perkins inexplicably headed into the top corner of his own net when under no pressure following a rare Eastwood breakaway.

Even then Chorley had the chance to take a well-earned point from the match when Vermiglio was again tripped in the goalmouth.

But this time Eatock's spot kick was saved and although the ball rebounded to Zarak he could only blaze his shot over the bar.

Magpies manager John Hughes said: "We battered them. Their manager even rang me to apologise for winning!

"But our luck has got to change soon because we are creating chances and playing well."

Chorley face a tough hurdle when they visit Guiseley in the FA Cup first qualifying round on Saturday.

They earned a £1,000 cup bonus when they won at Bacup in the preliminary round and there will be £2,500 in it for the club if they can dispose of the Premier Division outfit.

Chorley were due to meet promoted Mossley at Seel Park last night and will be at home to Tony Hesketh's Kendal Town on Tuesday, unless they draw at Guiseley, in which case they will be playing the replay.

Kendal are at home to Prescot Cables in the FA Cup, so a draw there would also rule out the league match at Chorley.

Final score: Chorley 1 Eastwood Town 2