Chorley 1 Trafford 1

10:11am Monday 18th August 2008

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CHORLEY recovered from a faltering start to earn a point against a lively and inventive Trafford who look sure to be a force following promotion to the UniBond First Division (North).

In a dramatic start, the visitors unfortunately lost Max Kisseh after just 20 seconds, the midfielder on his return from a lengthy lay-off with a broken leg sustaining another fracture in an innocuous tackle.

However, Trafford went ahead after 11 minutes through the dangerous Scott Barlow, who evaded keeper Zac Jones and a covering defender to score.

The buoyant visitors then peppered the Chorley goal but it was the Magpies who struck for a vital equaliser on 25 minutes.

Mike Eckersley’s goalbound drive, following trickery on the left by Roger Shorrock, struck a defender’s arm and the referee immediately pointed to the spot.

And it was Eckersley who tucked away the penalty past keeper Tom Read.

A superb chip over the defence by Ashley Parillon left Steve Burke with just Read to beat but he steered his shot wide.

Trafford were unlucky not to regain the lead early in the second half, when Andy Lundy placed a shot beyond Jones, but saw it hit the post.

Chorley gradually improved and, after ex-Magpie Lee Southwood had almost headed Jordan Goodeve’s dangerous cross into his own net, Read had to get down quickly to save from Burke.

But in the closing stages only smart work by Jones kept Chorley on terms.