Chorley set aside all the pre-match ballyhoo and efficiently disposed of FC United to the delight of their fans in a lively crowd of 1,074.

The hundreds of United supporters who boycotted this early kick-off missed a feisty encounter and the visitors, who started sluggishly, were much in need of vocal encouragement as they attacked a completely deserted away end of the ground.

The Magpies went ahead in the 39th minute when Adam Roscoe was trippedi n the box and Lee McEvilly stepped up to score from the penalty spot.

The Magpies sealed victory two minutes into the second half when McEvilly’s header found Andy Teague to drill home.

Steve Flitcroft (78) and FC United’s Ben Deegan (90) were sent off as tempers flared.