Tempers flared in a feisty derby on Saturday as Lancaster City boss Barrie Stimpson defeated mentor Tony Hesketh and led his side to their first win in five games.

Midfielder Jimmy Love grabbed a 54th minute winner for City in a bruising encounter which included six bookings and a sending off.
City made hard work of victory despite playing against 10 men for almost 70 minutes.

The early dismissal of home midfielder Gavin-Lee Ellison appeared to have no effect on the balance of play as a depleted Chorley bombarded City's goal after falling behind.

But the visiting defence, marshalled by the instrumental Iain Swan, defiantly broke up a wave of Chorley attacks in the second half and guided City to a long-awaited triumph.

City emerged as the livelier side and created their first notable chance on seven minutes when Mark Jackson struck a shot straight at home goalkeeper Peter Collinge.

Four minutes later, visiting striker Dave Foster headed Paul Rigby's deep cross into the gloves of a relieved Collinge.

Shortly after Chorley registered their first attempt on goal, City were forced into an early substitution as Tom Entwisle suffered an ankle injury.

In the following exchanges, both sets of players showed plenty of passion and tackles soon flew in from all angles. Yet the referee stunned the entire crowd on 21 minutes when Ellison saw red for a clumsy tackle on Neil Marshall.

However, the sending off failed to inspire City who continued to create limited openings up front.

In the closing stages of the first half, Foster headed the ball straight at Collinge, Helliwell struck a shot harmlessly over and right-back Rigby fired wide.

Ten-man Chorley started brightly after the break and Mark Drew saw a powerful free-kick smartly parried away by goalkeeper Mark Thornley.

Yet surprisingly it was City who took the lead. Six minutes later, the impressive Love rose superbly at the back post and nodded Rigby's perfect cross into the bottom corner.

Chorley dominated possession for the rest of the half without creating too many clear-cut opportunities.

On the hour-mark, Chorley midfielder Drew and striker Stephen Burke tested City shot-stopper Thornley with shots from distance.
After City substitute Ryan-Zico Black saw a shot pushed aside at the other end, the hosts rallied and began to look increasingly menacing going forward.

But fantastic last-ditch challenges from centre-backs Heffernan and Swan prevented Chorley from scoring and took City to a much-needed win.

Lancaster City:Thornley, Rigby, Marshall, Heffernan, Swan, Stringfellow, Love, Uberschar, Foster, Jackson (Black 60), Entwisle (Helliwell 16). Unused sub: Greenwood.

Attendance: 309.