FC United 3, Chorley 0

Chorley could do little to stop FC United of Manchester, chasing a third successive promotion, powering their way to a comprehensive 3-0 win at Gigg Lane, Bury, last night.

The Magpies were chasing the game from the ninth minute when Jerome Wright laid on the opener for marksman Rory Patterson and five minutes into the second half the pair repeated the move for Patterson's second.

A spirited Chorley had few chances and the action was mainly at the other end, where goalkeeper Peter Collinge crowned a superb display with a flying save from Chris Baguley's 30-yard free kick.

Stuart Rudd rounded off the win with a goal in stoppage time.

The defeat was Chorley's fifth in succession and the Magpies have now gone 380 minutes without a goal.

Chorley manager Tony Hesketh praised his players for their battling display against a side now unbeaten in 14 league matches. "They held their heads up and kept going," he said.

"We have Wakefield at home on Saturday and the Co-operative Lancashire FA Trophy final at Leyland on Wednesday against my old club Southport. After that we have five league games left, three of them at home, so there's still plenty to play for."

Wakefield have won their last six away league games and with Chorley looking to end a run of five defeats it will be an interesting fixture.

11:47am Thursday, 27 March 2008

(Also Chorley Citizen http://www.chorleycitizen.co.uk/sport/sportheadlines/display.var.2150900.0.fc_united_3_chorley_0.php