A GAME which both of these UniBond First Division promotion challengers needed to win ended all-square after the Magpies snatched a dramatic last-minute equaliser.

Chorley looked the likely winners after dominating the first half but they failed to turn possession into clear-cut scoring chances.

But in the second half, it was Albion who called most of the shots.

The Magpies started so purposefully that keeper Lee Bracey did not touch the ball for 17 minutes.

Dean Butterworth was just too high with an attempt to lob Witton keeper Paul Gibson who then parried a good effort from Danny Mills.

Chorley had a number of shots charged down and Gibson had to back-pedal quickly to turn over a looping header from Mills, who later skimmed the angle with a powerful drive.

But there was a scare for Chorley when the tricky Darren Dicken's shot from a right-wing cross rattled the bar. At the other end, Darren Emmett's 35-yards drive flew straight at Gibson.

Witton made an electrifying start to the second half and Bracey turned aside Mike Moseley's fierce shot before Albion took the lead on 53 minutes.

As Lee Molyneux attempted to deal with a dangerous through ball, he completely missed his kick, leaving Moseley a clear run on goal and he confidently buried his 29th goal of the season.

Bracey then made excellent diving stops from Dicken and Colin Rose.

The Magpies were restricted to breakaways but, from one of those, Jamie Bates got in a good centre which Butterworth blazed over the bar.

Chorley finally grabbed a lifeline in the final minute.

Albion keeper Gibson went down but failed to gather a Bates cross cleanly and knocked the ball away only as far as Paul Varley, who floated it back into the box where Butterworth outjumped two defenders to flick a header into the empty net.

The goal condemned Witton to their seventh draw in 10 matches.

Chorley at least were happier with a point, which maintained a four-point gap between themselves and Albion.

WITTON ALBION ...1 CHORLEY ...1