In the running for promotion?

CHORLEY'S impressive start to the season continued with this convincing victory -- the Magpies' fourth in a row and their third consecutive clean sheet.

It took them more than an hour to wear down a strong and competitive Winsford side, but once in front Chorley never looked other than winners.

The Magpies made the early running and Damien Corcoran ought to have put away a free header from Mick Wallace's pinpoint centre.

Then Wallace forced the visitors' keeper to go full length to save his fierce free kick.

But Winsford almost snatched the lead on 25 minutes.

Chorley keeper Steve McIlhargey, on loan from Morecambe, turned over Liam Raven's angled drive and following the ensuing corner David Lowe smashed a 25 yard shot against the post.

Chorley took charge in the 63rd minute when Winsford's tormentor in chief Dave Eatock cleverly threaded a pass to Wallace who calmly steered the ball in from eight yards.

Then on 70 minutes the Magpies went two up, Chris Blakeman lobbing the ball into the box for the unmarked Eatock to score easily.

Winsford rang the changes with all three substitutes, but made no impression on a solid Chorley defence in which Corcoran, Ian Leather and Steve Hook were simply outstanding.

On current form, the Magpies look genuine promotion contenders.