A WONDER strike by Dale Whitham lit up an otherwise unmemorable match and delivered the Magpies’ first Saturday victory in two-and-a-half months.
There was honest endeavour in abundance from both teams but little inspiration to excite a remarkably good crowd of 608 on a freezing afternoon.
But that was until a patient Chorley build-up down the left in the 69th minute culminated in Adam Roscoe heading square into the path of Whitham, who rocketed an unstoppable rising drive into the net from 25 yards via the underside of the bar.
Young striker Curtis Haley, on loan from Blackburn Rovers, thought he had bagged an early debut goal for Chorley but an offside flag cut short the celebration.
The action livened up after the interval and Andy Russell saw a header cleared off the line.
Conor Grant pulled off a smart save from Roscoe late on to prevent Chorley adding to their lead.
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