BOTTOoeF-THE-TABLE Trafford were again no match for Chorley who cantered to a second UniBond first division victory in a fortnight over the struggling Mancunians.

The Magpies increased their tally at Trafford's expense to seven without reply, a potentially useful gain on a day when their five closest rivals for a play-off place all won.

Man-of-the moment, midfield dynamo Joe Murray, had another outstanding game, scoring two goals and being at the centre of most of Chorley's best work.

It took only five minutes for Murray to open the scoring when Darren Emmett's raking cross was headed back by Stuart Tulloch for the unmarked Murray to fire home from short range.

As Chorley attacked almost at will, Murray's superb pass released Tulloch but he shot straight at keeper Ryan McMahon.

A second goal had to come and duly arrived on the half-hour, when Murray bamboozled centre-back Mark Hall only to be brought down and the inevitable penalty was confidently dispatched by Emmett.

Just before the break, Murray looked all set to make it three from Tulloch's fine cross but his diving header was well saved by McMahon.

Trafford briefly raised their game at the start of the second half without actually threatening the Chorley goal and the points were safely in the visitors' bag after 56 minutes with who else but Murray delivering the blow.

Billy McCartney's low drive from distance was cleared to the edge of the box from where Murray flashed in a low shot which McMahon could scarcely have seen as it ripped into the net.

The Magpies might easily have extended their lead, Anthony Hogan having an overhead shot smartly saved, Emmett skimming a post following a flowing move and substitute Ian Barker testing McMahon from 30 yards.

The overworked keeper finally denied Murray a richly-deserved hat-trick shortly before the end, turning his goalbound effort round the post.

The afternoon had been little more than a run-out for Chorley and the real test will come on Saturday when the division's form team Radcliffe Borough visit Victory Park.

TRAFFORD...0 CHORLEY...3