Harrogate Town 3 Chorley 0

By Dave Hindle

A POOR display saw Chorley well beaten in this roses clash -- and they can certainly have no complaints.

Once again the Magpies were forced into changes with Court, Mills and Mitchell all ruled out.

The Magpies struggled throughout to create chances with Swailes and Eatock well shackled by the home defence.

Wallace did get the ball in the net early on, smacking in a free kick, but the referee was clearly indicating that the award was indirect.

Chorley had a decent penalty shout turned down when Eatock was bowled over, but overall a fairly uneventful first half was looking like ending goalless until Harrogate scored just before the whistle.

A free kick was poorly defended and Underwood was completely unmarked to shoot past Marsh.

Early in the second half the Magpies lost Blakeman, the victim of a dreadful stamp by Dunn which went unpunished.

With Smythe and Fisher both well under par the Magpies midfield were unable to create anything meaningful for Swailes and Eatock.

Harrogate increased their lead when Shelton slotted in a penalty after a reckless challenge by Challender and within a minute it was three courtesy of Elliott's sublime finish.

Harrogate keeper Hill had had a quiet afternoon and was called in to serious action for the first time with five minutes left, diving to punch away Wallace's free kick.

In the last minute, Leather headed over from point blank range to sum up an afternoon to forget for Chorley.