MAGPIES FIGHT BACK AS NEWBY HITS TWO

LEADERS Chorley underlined their title credentials with a formidable second-half showing that overwhelmed Altrincham.

The visiting Robins repeatedly stretched the home defence and after Josh Hancock had rattled the home bar with a 25-yard free-kick, the visitors went ahead in the 32rd minute.

Magpies keeper Matt Urwin did well to deny John Johnston with a diving save, but Max Harrop was on hand to fire home the loose ball from an angle.

Chorley missed a couple of chances to equalise, while Alty continued to offer a major threat as Simon Richman’s powerful shot skimmed the bar.

The second half saw a complete transformation, with Alex Newby tucking away the equaliser on 54 minutes after the slickest of onetouch build-ups.

Ten minutes later Marcus Carver teed up Josh Wilson, who thumped his low cross high into the net.

The Robins conceded a third goal six minutes from time when Adam Blakeman’s ballooned ball fell for Newby to shoot calmly through a ruck of players and into the corner of the net.

In added time, Courtney Meppen-Walter put the icing on Chorley’s cake with a towering header from a corner to the delight of the bulk of a 1,675-strong crowd.

STAR MAN: Alex Newby (Chorley) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★