Kick off at Victory Park was put back 15 minutes following severe congestion on the M60 after a serious accident in the afternoon.

The Hatters kicked off attacking a small covered stand. Jason Astbury was defending the goal in front of a covered terrace, which was a throw back to the 1950s/60s.

Darren Green had the first sight of goal after six minutes but his right-foot shot was saved in an unorthodox way by the leg of Magpies' keeper, and former County loanee, Zack Jones.

James Tunnicliffe then brought a fine save out of Jones as the Hatters' youngsters continued to turn the screw.

County's early pressure paid off when Danny Pilkington opened the scoring after 15 minutes with a brilliant curling shot into the top corner.

Astbury was called into action on 25 minutes when he dived backwards to turn a 20-yard drive over the bar.

Eight minutes before the break Pilkington was brought down in the box, and he sent Jones the wrong way from the spot to double his tally.

Gianluca Havern came close to making it 3-0 with a thunderous 25-yard drive that flew just wide.

Half-time: Chorley 0 County 2

Matty Mainwaring had a great chance to score when he burst into the box to get onto the end of Lee Jackson's cross but his shot lacked enough poweer to beat substitute 'keeper Peter Collinge.

Jackson was getting forward down the left to great effect and another dangerous cross gave Paull Ennis a chance but once again Collinge was equal to the task.

Ennis then released Green who tried to chip Collinge but didn't get enough on the ball and the 'keeper had an easy save. .

The Magpies pulled a goal back on 66 minutes when Danny Finch turned in a cross from the right to give Astbury no chance.

Chorley pressed strongly for an equaliser and County had to survive a couple of real goalmouth scrambles.

In the final seconds Green almost grabbed another pre-season goal with a low drive that just beat Collinge's right-hand post.

County: Astbury: Halls (J Thompson), Tunnicliffe, Havern, Jackson; J Vincent, Tansey, Mainwaring (R Vincent); Green, Edwards (Ennis), D Pilkington.