MATCH REPORT | Chester 1-1 Gloucester City

    Chester came from a goal behind to earn a point at home to Gloucester City on a frustrating night at the Deva Stadium.

    In a game of few clear-cut chances it was the visitors who took the lead on the stroke of half time as Kieran Phillips broke the offside trap and slotted beyond Harry Tyrer.

    The second half was marred by stoppages, preventing the Blues from gaining momentum until the final ten minutes, where Kieran Coates drove forward before cutting back for sub Iwan Murray to slot home an equaliser.

    Blues boss Calum McIntyre named an unchanged squad from the side that won four-nil against Kettering Town at the weekend.

    In a quiet first half, it was the visitors who created the games first real opportunity as Dom McHale broke through the Blues back line but Tyrer was quickly off his line to smother the Gloucester forwards’ effort.

    The Blues were quick to strike back with a chance of their own as Kurt Willoughby picked up a poor clearance from the Gloucester defence and immediately tried to lob Brandon Hall from near to the centre circle, with his effort just over.

    Gloucester took the lead in first half stoppage time though as Phillips broke the offside trap and met Matt McClure’s excellent pass before slotting under the onrushingTyrer.

    Both sides started the second half with half chances, first Josh Owers saw his effort blocked before Joe Lynch did well to get forward before seeing his shot deflected away.

    Neither side was able to get momentum in the second half due to a lot of stoppages and the ball being out of play, meaning there were very few chances.

    Into the final ten minutes and Chester started to build some pressure, as Gloucester sat with eleven men behind the ball. That pressure paid off as Coates drove forward before cutting back for substitute Murray to slot home from just inside the penalty area.

    Chester hopes were raised as the board went up showing eight minutes of added time and thought they’d found a winner as Darren Stephenson played in Willoughby, who fired beyond Hall but the assistants flag was up for offside.

    More Chester pressure followed as Stephenson fired a couple of crosses into the penalty area, the second falling to Danny Devine but his shot was blocked and Gloucester were able to hang on for a point.

    CHESTER: Tyrer, Coates, Williams, Edwards, Coulton, Roberts, Weeks, Lynch (Devine 66), Hall (Stephenson 79), Dudley (Murray 66), Willoughby.

    SUBS NOT USED: Morgan, Kenyon.

    SCORERS: Murray 85; Phillips 45+1.

    ATTENDANCE: 1,955.