A LONGER break than Chorley had anticipated came last weekend with the postponement of the UniBond First Division match against Bishop Auckland at Shildon.

But the break enabled first-team squad members Lee Bracey, Andy Mason, Andy Woodward and Jamie Bates to get some useful match practice at second-team level.

Manager Mark Patterson was this week able to include defenders Bates and Woodward in his senior plans.

Bates has had a knee problem for almost three months - his last start was in the 3-2 home defeat by Lincoln on October - and Woodward, who was in need of match fitness when he came here in December, has been in the side once and on the subs' bench once, coming on against Kendal when Keith Hill hurt his thigh.

Mason was absent for several months while training for the fire service and Woodward and Bracey have been on police training.

"Lee Bracey is available until March and Keith Hill is signed up to the end of the season," said Patterson.

"We have no serious injuries and the players are all anxious to get back into action. Recent performances have been encouraging and we now have a fitter bunch of players." Ian Leather, though, is still not available as Chorley embark on an important five-day spell of activity with two key home matches. They host North Ferriby United on Saturday and holders Leigh RMI in the Marsden Lancashire FA Trophy on Tuesday.

They grabbed an important win at the expense of fellow-strugglers Kendal Town at Grange Lane in their last First Division match - but that was only their sixth success in 26 league games.