GAMES between Preston and Chorley are always highly charged encounters, and this one proved no exception, with an incident packed match full of crunching tackles and dramatic twists and turns.

Preston are pushing for promotion and looked strong in midfield, but Chorley's hard working duo of Natalie Parry and Danni Toward countered their creativity.

Much of the first half was slogged out in the middle third of the pitch, with neither keeper having much to do.

In the second half Preston forced Chorley to give away a penalty on their first attacking move, which Sarah Berry struck confidently past Cowell.

Preston kept up the pressure with Jenny Cottam and Laura Cain proving particularly troublesome, but Chorley were never outplayed .

Their commitment was epitomised by Rosie Schofield who was injured 15 minutes from time with a serious knee injury.

Chorley equalised with a sweeping move started by sub Maddy Stocks, and a cross from Kim Swarbrick, which was nodded on from Toward to Janet Gilder whose shot rifled into the bottom corner of the net.

It was just reward for Chorley who had worked hard to get back on terms. But Cain cancelled out their efforts in the last minute of the game, when a controversial decision gave Preston a corner and she scored with a confident strike to beat Cowell and nick the points from Chorley.

Final score: Chorley Ladies 1 Preston North End 2