IN-FORM striker Andy Mason was Chorley's hat-trick hero as the Magpies maintained their recent revival with a thoroughly deserved UniBond First Division victory over high-flying Ossett Town.

But it was not a one-man show, with strike-partner Ian Barker also highly impressive as the pair caused the home defence plenty of problems throughout a hard-fought, entertaining match on a gluepot of a pitch.

Ossett piled on the pressure in the opening phase, Lee Molyneux blocking a goalbound effort from Darren Leech and Simon Marsh making two excellent saves.

But it was Chorley who grabbed the lead after 14 minutes when a ball over the top from Peter Smyth caught out the Town defence and Mason raced away to score in-off the post.

The Magpies soon threatened to add to their lead after the break, Mason firing over the bar from Paul Fleming's cross but a second goal was not long delayed.

David Lowe floated in a free-kick on 51 minutes and Mason rose at the far post to score with a simple header. Paul Fleming then close to a third for Chorley when his clever 30-yard lob bounced off the crossbar.

Ossett, however, reduced the arrears with a fine goal on 65 minutes. Substitute Chris Shaw picked out Eshelby with a crossfield ball and he promptly beat Marsh from outside the box with a crisp low shot.

The goal inspired Ossett to throw everything at Chorley but they held firm and knocked the stuffing out of their hosts with a decisive third goal after 73 minutes.

From Graham Hicks' through-ball, Barker crossed for Mason to turn quickly inside the six-yard box and squeeze a shot under the keeper and into the net for his 19th goal of the season.

Manager Ken Wright paraded his latest signing Dave Leaver from Bamber Bridge and he slotted in well on the left side of midfield to contribute to an excellent all-round team performance.

OSSETT TOWN...1 CHORLEY...3