A DUBIOUS penalty a minute from time condemned Chorley to a second successive 1-1 home draw but the scoreline was a fair reflection of a hard-fought if uninspiring match.

The Magpies' committed approach blunted the attacking flair of one of the division's promotion chasers and it was a game that Chorley never looked like losing, so little did Simon Marsh have to do in the home goal.

The better of the few clear scoring chances came Chorley's way but twice leading goalgetter Andy Mason could not apply the finishing touch.

Mason could only direct his close-range header a foot too high and later in the half Chorley's top scorer poked the ball just the wrong side of the upright.

Ashton found few openings against a tight Chorley defence, but Ian Leather made one crucial intervention to rob Phil Denney when he broke through with two colleagues up in support.

In a lively start to the second half, Marsh reacted smartly to whip the ball off Gareth Morris's toes and immediately Ian Barker forced a reflex save out of Ashton keeper Andy Johnstone.

A streamlined move by the visitors should have produced the opening goal but Chris Cornelly wasted the final ball, heading tamely wide with the goal gaping.

Chorley seized the lead on 81 minutes when sub David Eatock was upended by Johnstone, Danny Mills converting the penalty.

The goal looked to be enough to secure the three points but Ashton were thrown a lifeline after 89 minutes when a free-kick was floated goalwards and the referee, to the surprise of players on both sides, spotted an infringement.

Cornelly hammered home the spot kick to leave at least one more manager to vent his frustration on the official at the final whistle.

CHORLEY...1 ASHTON UNITED...1