DOWN to 10 men for more than 70 minutes, Chorley performed very ably to contain their hosts in this crucial UniBond First Division promotion battle.

But the Magpies were not called upon to produce too many defensive heroics, while Chorley keeper Lee Bracey rose to the challenge with a flawless display of anticipation and safe handling.

The Magpies began very positively and Dean Butterworth was only inches wide with a clever overhead kick. Then Anthony Hogan missed a great chance, planting a diving header wide from Danny Mills' astute cross when an on-target effort would surely have brought a goal.

Hogan was to play little further part in the game. A moment of madness in seeking further retaliation after he and an opponent had been spoken to by the referee, inevitably led to him being shown the red card on 18 minutes.

As Spennymoor sought to take advantage, Bracey pulled off a great save to deny Anthony Woodhouse and Chorley's biggest scare of the first half came when Mills sliced an attempted clearance narrowly wide of his own goal.

The Magpies continued to contain the home side successfully after the break and threatened the Moors' goal when Butterworth lobbed the advancing Martin Kearney only to see the ball go wide.

At the other end, Bracey got down well to keep out a stinging shot from Stuart Bracewell, but it was Chorley who came close to ending the stalemate in the last minute.

Andy Mason, an 88th minute substitute, beat the offside trap in a burst from near the halfway line and cut in before shooting low, but Kearney rescued Spennymoor with a fine save.

Although the Moors' recent run of victories, since losing to Chorley at Victory Park a month ago, was ended, they remain well-placed to secure automatic promotion.

However, only a win at home to Stocksbridge Park Steels tomorrow (Tuesday) will realistically keep Chorley's play-offs hopes alive.

SPENNYMOOR...0 CHORLEY...0