Chorley 3 Farsley Celtic 2: Magpies show fighting spirit

But they were made to work hard for it by a spirited Farsley who twice held the lead.

Only in the last half-hour did the Magpies finally take control of a fast-paced and thoroughly entertaining contest.

The man of the match was elusive midfield playmaker Elliott Newby who marked his 100th appearance for Chorley by supplying the crosses for all three goals.

Veteran keeper Steve Drench denied Harry Cardwell twice in the opening stages with diving saves before Celtic went ahead in the 11th minute with their first shot on target, James Spencer sweeping home Jordan Richards’ low centre.

Four minutes later the Magpies were level, Newby’s cross being converted by Andy Owens with glancing header.

The visitors’ quick interchanges and fast breaks caused problems for a sometimes uncertain home defence but their best attempts flew just off target.

Another chance fell to Cardwell but he headed straight at Dench.

Farsley regained the lead on 44 minutes courtesy of some naïve defending.

There was no cover beyond the halfway line when Paddy Lane released Spencer with a clever through ball and he ran unchallenged on goal before firing past Matt Urwin.

The lively Lane had a clear chance to increase the visitors’ lead after the break when he broke free down the right but saw his cross-shot pass the wrong side of the far post.

At the other end Andy Halls got in a strong downward header from a corner which was scrambled way and it took the introduction of substitute Connor Hall to inject extra penetration into the Chorley attack.

Pressure on the Celtic defence began to mount and a series of corners ensued from one of which, delivered by Newby in the 77th minute, Harvey Smith headed Chorley level.

Sensing victory, the Magpies kept up the pressure and within five minutes following an incisive left-wing move, Newby centred for Hall to gleefully grab his customary goal from close range.

The lead could have been extended when Cardwell was sent clear but the luckless striker was denied by the slightest deflection off the advancing Drench, which diverted the ball inches past the post.

But Chorley had once again shown their character and resilience in rescuing what at half-time had been an unpromising situation.

And that character will surely be tested again on Friday evening by their Premier League visitors.

CHORLEY: Urwin, Birch, Leather, Halls, Tomlinson (Reilly 35 (Smith 44), Henley, Newby, Calveley, Shenton, Cardwell, Owens ( Hall 64). Subs (not used): Baines, Ustabasi.