A COMMANDING first-half display was enough to set up another vital victory for Chorley in their bid to reach the UniBond First Division play-offs.

But the Magpies' large following had to endure some anxious moments in the second half.

Chorley seized the initiative from the start and Lee Wilkinson embarked on a long solo run only to poke the ball wide under challenge inside the box.

They took the lead on 23 minutes when the industrious Ian Barker's cross was helped on by Wilkinson to Danny Mills, who forced the ball home at the back post.

At the other end, goalkeeper Lee Bracey had to react smartly to dash out and whip the ball off the toes of Ossett's Liam Young before Chorley got a deserved second on 36 minutes. Wilkinson flicked on a Varley throw-in to Dean Butterworth, who turned instantly and rammed a fine shot inside Joel Armstrong's left-hand post.

But the home side were back in the game within five minutes as Rob Bloomfield beat Bracey with a speculative 40-yard drive.

Chorley had to defend doggedly at times after the break to preserve their lead.

OSSETT TOWN ...1 CHORLEY ...2