CHORLEY Lynx find themselves in a four way tie at the top of National League division 2 after defeating play-off rivals Swinton Lions at Victory Park.

This victory equalled a club record of five consecutive victories but they were made to work hard by a very committed Lions outfit and only sealed the win in the last ten minutes.

After the game, Lynx coach Darren Abram said: "Although we played badly we still managed to win.

"I was a bit worried when Swinton had gone ahead but we dug deep and this makes the play-offs more achievable.

"Over the last few weeks we have had players missing through injury and holidays, but the players who have come in have performed well and this gives me plenty of pressure for places as we reach the crucial time of the season."

Lynx made the perfect start with a try inside the first minute from Chris Campbell after Swinton had spilled the ball almost from the kick off, Mark McCully adding the conversion.

They were totally dominant and almost increased their lead on five minutes but Anton Garcia just failed to hang on to the ball as he crashed over.

Swinton were bringing pressure on themselves by conceding a string of penalties and Lynx increased their lead with a Mark McCully penalty after the Lions were penalised for holding. After three minutes, Swinton were on the score sheet with a Chris Hough penalty after Lynx were caught offside. Straight from the kick off, Swinton turned possession over to Lynx and Eric Andrews made them pay as he darted over, with Mark McCully adding another conversion.

Eventually Swinton started to make inroads into the Lynx defence as Lynx themselves began to fall foul of the referee. They reduced the arrears with two further penalties from Chris Hough in the 28th & 33rd minutes.

On the stroke of half time, with Lynx's defence coming under strong pressure, Jason Roach touched down only to find he had put a foot in touch to leave Lynx with a 14-6 half time advantage.

Swinton were right back in the game in the 43rd minute when a Chris Hough bomb was palmed into the waiting hands of James Lomax to touch down, Hough adding the conversion to leave Lynx with a two point advantage.

Mick Coates extended Lynx's lead with a drop goal but Lynx then found themselves trailing, after Hugh Thorpe touched down again converted by Chris Hough. Lynx finally regained their composure and took the lead again in the 58th minute with a try from Eric Andrews after good play by Jamie Stenhouse, Mark McCully adding the conversion.

Seven minutes later, Lynx went further ahead with a try from Mick Coates and this was followed two minutes later by a try from Mike Briggs who managed to scramble over, with Mark McCully adding another conversion.

However, Lynx were caught out from the kick off and they were made to pay as Wayne English went over to leave Lynx with a nine point advantage. But Lynx finished the stronger and sealed victory with two further tries from Chris Campbell and on the final hooter from Simon Smith, Mark McCully adding a conversion to leave Lynx as worthy victors.

Chorley Lynx 41

Swinton Lions 22