A LATE strike by dead-eye Darren Emmett for Chorley was the last thing new Steels boss Wayne Biggins needed with his side desperate for points to stave off relegation from the UniBond First Division.

The former Burnley player was promoted to team manager of Stocksbridge prior to the kick-off and saw his side squander two great chances to take a grip on this vital game in the opening minutes.

Paul Hesleby fired just wide from an inviting pass by Paul Jackson, who was then only fractionally off-target himself with a fine hook-shot which curled agonisingly the wrong side of the post with Magpies' keeper Simon Marsh stranded.

There were few other significant moments in the first half of a dreadful game, the lively bounce in a firm pitch contributing to scrappy aerial exchanges in which the bigger Stocksbridge side made their extra physical presence tell.

Chorley's only threat to the visitors' goal before the interval was a fiercely dipping 35-yards effort by Emmett which just cleared the crossbar.

The Magpies began the second half positively, Danny Mills shooting just too high from distance and Emmett raking the Stocksbridge goalmouth with a rasping cross-shot.

Steels' desperate plight in 21st place in the table was reflected in some woeful attempts on goal, Craig Ludlam and Russell Green blazing high over from promising positions.

Chorley continued to find difficulty in opening up a resolute defence but with 89 minutes on the clock Emmett showed the way with what has quickly become a trademark piece of superb finishing since his arrival at Victory Park.

David Eatock played a 30-yards range free-kick sideways and Emmett promptly dispatched the ball low and true into the bottom corner of Dave McCarthy's net before the keeper had time to move.

It was a rare touch of quality in a desperate physical scramble, the proceedings typified by the dismissal in stoppage time of Steels' skipper Jonathan Brown for a professional foul on Eatock as he raced through on goal.

The win takes Chorley to 50 points and into the top-half of the table. For Biggins and his troops the battle for survival goes on, their task no easier following companions-in-distress Workington's victory at Matlock.

CHORLEY...1 STOCKSBRIDGE PS...0