MATCH REPORT | Chester 1-1 Leamington

Chester were forced to settle for a point as Leamington levelled in stoppage time at the Deva Stadium.

The Blues took the lead and seemed set to close the game out courtesy of Declan Weeks’ stunning curling effort on 53 minutes but they couldn’t find a second to secure the result and were forced to settle for a point when Louis Hall powered home an effort at the back post in the second minute of injury time.

The Blues made one change from the side that drew 2-2 away at Banbury on Tuesday night as Anthony Dudley replaced Joe Lynch in the starting line-up.

The games opening chance fell to the Blues as Weeks’ cross found Willoughby but his header was inches wide of the post before referee, Jonathan Maskrey, pulled it back for a free kick.

Leamington’s first chance of the game fell to Rackeem Reid, as he met a cross from Louis Hall, but couldn’t direct his header on target.

Weeks was again at the heart of the Blues’ offensive play as his corner broke to Dudley but his effort deflected to Edwards and was turned goalwards and was gathered by Hawkins.

Chances were at a premium in the first half as Devon Kelly-Evans tried his luck from range, but it was comfortably over Tyrer’s goal and the scores were level at the break.

Chester made the perfect start to the second half though, breaking quickly before Kole Hall rolled it to Weeks, who fired a stunning curling effort beyond Hawkins and fired the Blues into the lead.

That lead was almost short lived however as Jack Edwards played in Kelly-Evans but Harry Tyrer came up with a huge save one-on-one to keep the hosts ahead.

A couple of Chester academy graduates were next to go close for the Blues, first Ollie Heywood whipped a dangerous ball across the face of the Leamington goal, before Iwan Murray saw his free kick get up and over the wall but landed just the wrong side of the post.

The chances kept coming for the Blues as Hall won the ball high up the pitch, he played in Willoughby but the Blues’ top scorer couldn’t hit the target. Hall was involved again a few minutes later as he exchanged a one-two with Dudley, before the latter fired goalwards, only to be denied by Hawkins.

Chester were searching for a second goal to see the game off and more impressive play from Murray won the ball high up the pitch, he played in Willoughby but he dragged his shot wide.

There was still time for a late twist to the game as Leamington burst forward in stoppage time, a Dan Meredith cross deflected to Hall, and his shot had enough power to beat Tyrer in the Chester goal and earn the visitors a point.

CHESTER: Tyrer, Coates (Morgan 46), Kenyon (Burke 77), Edwards, Heywood, Roberts, Weeks, Murray, Hall, Dudley, Willoughby (Lynch 90+1).

SUBS NOT USED: Thomas, Devine.

SCORERS: Weeks 53; Hall 90+2.

ATTENDANCE: 2,238 (75 away).