CHORLEY'S promotion play-offs hopes suffered a setback against lowly Bishop Auckland whose extra fire and hard-working attitude on a mudheap of a pitch entitled them to the points.

The Magpies' problems began with the team-sheet from which key players were missing, notably playmaker Darren Emmett who was out with a groin strain, and bustling striker Dean Butterworth, unavailable owing to work commitments.

But Chorley simply did not create enough clear chances, while Bishops kept the Magpies keeper Lee Bracey far busier.

The home side made the ideal start, racing into the lead after four minutes when Lee Madison took advantage of a flick-on to beat Bracey from eight yards.

Bishops then put the visitors' defence under pressure, forcing several corners, and it took Chorley half-an-hour to secure their first corner which brought an equaliser.

Peter Weston's corner was a poor one but the ball was only half cleared and Weston regained possession to sling over a great cross to which Andy Mason rose and netted with a glancing header just inside the post.

The Magpies were on terms for just five minutes.

Impressive home full back Chris Hughes beat two men on a penetrating run before whipping in a cross towards the near post where Madison forced the ball past Bracey.

Only fine anticipation by Bracey in dashing from goal prevented Madison completing a hat-trick just before the break.

Bishops continued to call the shots on the resumption and Bracey pulled off a tremendous save from a Madison piledriver.

Then after Jonathan Mann had taken the ball beyond the Chorley keeper Jamie Bates rescued the situation with a last-ditch tackle.

The introduction of substitute Lee Wilkinson, however, immediately gave Chorley an extra physical presence up-front and he was unlucky with a glancing header from a Bates cross.

Fellow-substitute David Eatock also had an impact and he almost set up an equaliser. Stuart Tulloch raked the goalmouth with a cross-shot and Eatock returned the ball only for Wilkinson to fire over the bar with Mason better-placed to convert.

Chorley finished strongly, Eatock having a cross-cum-shot booted clear by a defender and Tulloch a decent effort blocked. The Magpies' last chance disappeared when Wilkinson was just off-target from a driven free-kick.

All in all this was a disappointing reverse and a lost opportunity to claim a top-four placing after fine victories over two of the UniBond first division's strongest sides earlier in the week.

BISHOP AUCKLAND...2 CHORLEY...1