Skipper Teague delivers Magpies' killer blow

Chorley were worth more than this one-goal margin but, with all their closest rivals also winning, the three points were what mattered most.

The Magpies started with tremendous purpose and Marcus Carver was very unlucky to see a smartly taken angled drive rebound from the far post, with keeper Callum Burton well beaten.

The deserved lead finally arrived in the 28th minute.

Burton made a terrific diving save from a Dale Whitham pile-driver at the expense of a corner but Telford’s reprieve was short-lived.

Whitham’s delivery was met by Jack Sampson, who stabbed the ball into the net from close range for his fifth goal in seven league games.

Little had been seen of the visitors in attack but their first meaningful shot on goal after 38 minutes brought an unexpected equaliser.

Josh Wilson’s powerful 30-yard snap-shot took a big deflection on its way past a wrong-footed Ritchie Branagan.

Chorley almost regained the lead when Paul Jarvis beat Burton with a header which rebounded off the post.

The Magpies, however, were soon back in front after the break with a fine goal. A cleverly worked free-kick in the 50th minute saw Andy Teague peel away from his marker.

The skipper was totally unmarked as he met Whitham’s excellent delivery beyond the far post with a textbook header which gave Burton no chance.

As Chorley stepped up a gear, Jarvis was inches too high with a well-struck shot. Then he weaved his way along the by-line to tee up substitute Jason Walker, who scuffed his shot wide.

A one-goal lead is never a secure one and though Telford created few shooting chances they did win several corners, which were potentially dangerous with big players crowding the six-yard box.

Twice Branagan did well to fist or palm the crosses to safety and he did even better in the closing stages, athletically tipping over a volley heading for the top corner.

Had that one gone in, it would have undone a lot of hard work to ensure that the Magpies hung on to fourth place in what is boiling up to be a hot race for a place in the promotion play-offs.

CHORLEY: Branagan, Challoner, Jarvis, Teague, Leather, Jordan, Blakeman, Whitham, Carver (Walker 75), Sampson, Cottrell. Subs (not used): O’Keefe, McDaid, Beesley, Roscoe.