CHORLEY kept their play-offs hopes very much alive with a convincing display against a shot-shy Leek side.

The Victory Park pitch stood up well to the persistent heavy rain and, in an absorbing match, the Magpies' free-flowing approach play caused the usually miserly visitors' defence continual problems.

Leek were defending a six-match unbeaten run but, apart from their early goal from the penalty spot, they rarely tested Chorley keeper Lee Bracey.

Andy Mason almost gave Chorley a second-minute lead as he skipped past keeper Steve Hodgson on the left but, with an empty net waiting, curled his shot just wide of the far post.

Leek went ahead in the ninth minute, when Billy McCartney needlessly pushed Dave McPherson as they chased a ball towards the bye-line and Dave Whittaker thundered home the spot kick.

The Magpies, however, soon began to take control and created numerous openings. Mason looped a header just over the bar from a Darren Emmett cross and then shot straight at Hodgson with a quickly-taken effort on the turn in a crowded six-yard box.

Danny Mills later grazed the bar with a powerful drive after Dean Butterworth had slipped in the act of shooting.

But they eventually equalised with a fine goal on 35 minutes.

The impressive Butterworth's determined run down the right and cut-back from the line enabled Mason to slip the ball home at the back post.

His ecstasy soon turned to agony when he collided heavily with the dug-out as he slid in to win possession on the touchline and was taken to hospital for stitches to a head wound.

His departure was the cue for substitute Lee Wilkinson to make a notable contribution to Chorley's victory with a stunning goal.

On 54 minutes, Emmett, who was in inspirational form throughout, released Jamie Bates down the left with a gem of a pass and Bates' inviting cross was met by Wilkinson with an expertly-controlled first-time volley into the corner of the net.

The points were in the bag three minutes later thanks to another eye-catching goal. Emmett's lofted diagonal pass was steered on the volley into the far corner by Butterworth.

As the Magpies turned up the heat, Wilkinson netted again but his effort was disallowed because Emmett's pinpoint cross was deemed to have swerved out of play.

The Magpies' joy was tempered by the dismissal of Bates nine minutes from time. The decision was harsh on Bates, striving as he was to shake off the attentions of the shirt-tugging Craig Anderson, who received a yellow card.

Chorley were good value for their win, showing tremendous commitment in all departments and serving up three splendid goals for the loyal fans who braved the continuous rain.

"It was a good turn around from the performance last week," said Chorley boss Mark Molyneaux.

"I told the players that it could be the last game for some because, while I know people can have off days, it's not acceptable when we're going for promotion.

"And, to be fair to them, they played out of their skins."

CHORLEY ...3 LEEK ...1