Striker Jordan has grabbed his chance

Despite losing Josh Hine to NPL Premier Division outfit Salford City last month, Magpies boss Matt Jansen has some good options up front.

Star striker Darren Stephenson has been a mainstay at Chorley since arriving at Victory Park from Southport in 2012.

For much of that period, he has had either Hine or James Dean for company.

However, the departure of Hine and an injury to Dean has paved the way for new signing Jordan Connerton to establish himself in the team.

Initially with the Magpies in 2009, Connerton followed then Magpies manager Tony Hesketh out of Victory Park to Lancaster City.

Connerton holds the Dolly Blues’ record for most goals in a season, netting 38 in the 2009-2010 campaign, which saw him secure a move to Football League outfit Crewe Alexandra.

Unfortunately, he made only one appearance for the Railwaymen in a two-year stint and spent a period out on loan at Icelandic club Íþróttabandalag Vestmannaeyja.

On his release by Crewe, Connerton drifted back into non-league, enjoying a further spell with the Dolly Blues .

After a spell in Australia, Connerton returned to these shores and joined Kendal Town.

Impressive performances at Parkside Road convinced Jansen to snap the 26-year-old up on Christmas Eve.

After biding his time, Connerton has begun to make his presence felt at Victory Park.

He has netted five goals in as many games – his form keeping the now fully-fit Dean on the substitutes’ bench.

“Jordan Connerton is doing very well,” said Jansen. “He gets into good goalscoring positions.. I think that is five in five for him now.

“He bided his time. He was on the bench for a few games but when he got his chance he has gone from strength to strength.

“James Dean is a good lad but I can only put 11 players on the field.

“Jordan is in good form and I can’t leave him out and Deano understands.”

Connerton grabbed two goals at the weekend as the Magpies enjoyed a 3-1 victory at lowly Hednesford Town.

It was their fourth win in the past five games and went a long way to erasing the memory of the narrow 1-0 loss to Gloucester City the Tuesday before.

“It was a disappointing defeat against Gloucester on Tuesday so it was nice to bounce back.

“What is disappointing about the result on Tuesday is that you don’t realise how much you can climb the table if you get the three points.

“It was good to get the win on Saturday.”

Chorley defeated Hednesford without full-back Andy Bond, who joined League Two club Crawley Town, while fellow defender Will Beesley faces a period on the sidelines after sustaining a knee injury.

“It is probably Andy’s last chance to make it at that level. It is a good opportunity and hopefully he will do well,” said Jansen

Chorley host relegation threatened Lowestoft on Saturday at Victory Park.

“They beat us at their place and I thought they were decent,” Jansen said.

“But that says everything about our league – anyone can beat anyone and hopefully we can get the three points.”