CHORLEY Lynx coach Mark Lee is confident his side can claim a top six finish and a place in the play-offs after an improved performance saw them claim a thrilling draw with league leaders Barrow.

Lynx led 16-8 at the interval but the Raiders rallied to lead 24-18 with the game entering its last five minutes.

John Chamberlain capitalised on a Barrow mistake inside their own try-line to score a 78th minute try and Brian Capewell landed the conversion to give gutsy Lynx a share of the spoils.

Both sides then failed to add to the score even though referee Mike Dawber added an incredible seven minutes of injury time.

The result could have been even better for Chorley but for a late refereeing decision when the ball appeared to hit Mick Radford on the shins before he downed the ball to score, but a knock-on was called. Lynx scored first half tries through Ormesher, Capewell and Paterson but were pegged back after the break with three Raiders tries.

The decision to disallow Radford's try infuriated Lynx coach Mark Lee.

He said: "I don't like criticising referees but that decision effectively cost us the chance of victory.

"The ball clearly came off his shin and it should not have been given as a knock on.

"But I was pleased with the effort from the lads and they can be proud of the way they played.

"Barrow are a good side but we came within two points of matching them when we played them away and have drawn with them at home so that's not a bad aggregate.

"I think we can make the play-offs. The players certainly have the desire and now we have reached a stage where they have lost a lot of their anxiety in matches and they are playing with more confidence.

Chorley Sporting Club manager Dennis Ramsdale added: "This was a great improvement on the previous three games.

"Our aim is to continue with wins in our next games with Swinton, London and York.

"Mark Lee now has the squad playing improved rugby and the right players for us to progress."

Fans should note that this weekend's Chorley Lynx game against Swinton Lions takes place on Friday (August 27) with a 7.30pm kick-off at Victory Park, not on Sunday, as stated in matchday programmes and other fixture lists.