Harrogate Town – Four matches in a week proved a game too far for Town.
Simon Weaver, praised his sides commitment and never say die spirit, especially with six players unavailable, while Chester boss,Neil Young, complimented both teams on providing a fine match in difficult conditions.
A sterling effort by the ground staff and volunteers enabled Referee Adrian Holmes to correctly judge the pitch fit for play.
Tom Platt was a late withdrawal and he was replaced by Robbie Youhill, with Craig Radcliffe being called up to the subs bench.
Chib Chilaka and Youhill both had early runs which floundered on the sticky surface, before Chilaka chested down a Dwayne Samuels cross into the path of Dom Knowles, who shot just wide.
Knowles won a corner after a strong run by Paul Bolland,but a tackle by Paul Linwood cleared the danger.
Chester began to show their pedigree; Adam Nowakowski headed away a dangerous corner, and Craig MacGillivray saved well from Nathan Jarman.
Antoni Sarcevic went close and then forced Matt Bloomer into a good interception.
Out of the blue, Chester took a 37th minute lead,when Jarman latched on to Shane Killock’s defensive header, and his overhead kick was ruled to have crossed the line.
Early in the second period, Knowles was robbed by an excellent Dom Collins tackle after being put through by Luke Dean.
Chester increased their lead on 52 minutes when Matty McGinn’s deep cross saw Tony Gray rise unchallenged at the far post to score with a looping header.
Sarcevic hit the bar with a 35 yard free kick before setting up George Horan, who scooped over from close range.
On 73 minutes, Collins released Dave Hankin down the right wing and McGinn tapped in his low cross at the far post with the help of a Samuels deflection.
This heralded Town’s best spell of the match.
Collins earned himself a yellow card for a foul and from the resulting free kick,Dom Knowles scored fron 20 yards.
With a powerful run Chilaka beat three men and then unleashed a terrific shot which visiting keeper, John Danby, did well to keep out.
Knowles tested Danby with a late free kick, as Town staged a grandstand finish,but it was Chester who ran out worthy winners.
Town 1 MacGillivray, 2 Samuels, 3 Merris ( Radcliffe 84), 4 Dean ( Elam 64), 5 Bloomer, 6 Killock, 7 Youhill (Hardy 75), 8 Bolland (c), 9 Knowles, 10 Chilaka, 11 Nowakowski.
Unused subs 14 White, 17 DaVeiga
Scorer Knowles 75
Bookings Nil
Attendance 815
