CHORLEY can count themselves a shade unlucky to miss out on an appearance in the final of the Lancashire FA Marsden Trophy after more than holding their own against their Nationwide Conference opponents in a very tight semi-final at Hilton Park last night.

Although Leigh were forced to take the field without star striker Dino Maamria, the Clarets' ethnic minorities officer who completed a move to Stevenage earlier in the day, the two-divisions gap between the teams was never noticeable, particularly in the second half when Chorley were well on top.

But ultimately the Magpies' failure to score for the first time in 21 matches meant that a piece of quality finishing by Ged Courtney midway through the first half was enough to send Leigh through to meet either Accrington Stanley or Kendal Town in the final.

Courtney met a free kick in the 26th minute on the volley and cleverly steered his shot into the top corner of the net, giving Chorley keeper Lee Bracey no chance.

The goal lit up an otherwise disappointing first half and followed a near miss by Chorley's Dean Butterworth whose overhead kick just cleared the bar.

The always lively Damien Whitehead had a chance to double Leigh's lead but drove the ball straight at Bracey, while Darren Emmett had two snapshots from distance comfortably saved by home keeper Stuart Coburn.

It was after the break that Chorley began to exert strong pressure and Danny Mills missed two great chances to equalise within as many minutes.

First he raced in to meet an Emmett corner but sent his free header over the bar and then from Butterworth's excellent cross he shot way too high when again unmarked.

Leigh escaped when substitute Andy Mason netted for the Magpies but the effort was disallowed because Ian Barker was offside.

RMI had another let-off when Emmett was upended in the box and immediate appeals for handball also went unheeded by the referee.

Then on 72 minutes Coburn could only parry a shot from Mason whose attempt from the rebound hit a post and bounced into the grateful keeper's hands.

But Leigh were quick and dangerous on the break and Whitehead was not far away with an attempted lob.

Then Bracey saved well from Whitehead and Leigh substitute Ged Kielty wasted another chance by firing over.

But Chorley should have levelled in the last minute when Paul Varley slung over a superb cross to the far post where Mason looked certain to score but his tame header came back off the upright and his follow-up effort was saved by Coburn.

There was still time for Whitehead to have the final word for RMI but he too was out of luck with a shot which hit a post.

Chorley get back to league business face Spennymoor in the UniBond first division tomorrow.

LEIGH RMI...1 CHORLEY...0