CHOR CRASH TO HOT ASH AS PLAY-OFF HOPES FADE

CHORLEY 0 CURZON A 3

A THREE-GOAL firsthalf salvo from a buzzing Curzon shot down Chorley, who have slipped out of the playoffs slots for the first time in six months.

The Magpies’ normally redoubtable rearguard was repeatedly caught flat-footed by the visitors’ pacey counter-attacks and running off the ball.

Although Chorley stemmed the tide as Curzon sat back, they never looked capable of saving the game.

Jason Walker wasted the chance to put the hosts ahead in the first minute with a wayward finish and was made to pay, Jamie Stott heading in off the bar from a corner to put the Nash ahead on eight minutes.

Five minutes later a long ball caught out Stephen Jordan and, although Ritchie Branagan saved the initial shot, the ball was crossed back for Niall Cummins to bundle home a second.

Chorley’s cause was not helped by an injury to striker Jack Sampson and they fell three behind in the 31st minute when an unwise backpass by Scott Leather was intercepted by Cummins, who slipped the ball home.

There was little of note in a largely featureless second half. Chorley created a few chances but failed to hit the target while Curzon failed to muster a shot of any consequence.