MATCH REPORT | Scarborough Athletic 1-3 Chester

Chester made it back to back away wins and moved within four points of the top of the National League North with victory at Scarborough Athletic.

Second half strikes from Kole Hall and Charlie Caton had the Seals in control, before Ryan Watson pulled one back midway through the half.

Nevertheless, Kurt Willoughby struck late to ensure Calum McIntyre’s men ended the Seadogs’ one year unbeaten home run.

The Blues boss made two changes from the midweek win at Farsley Celtic as Adam Thomas and Joe Lynch dropped to the bench, being replaced by Iwan Murray and Caton, the latter making his first start for the club.

And it was the Shrewsbury loanee who set up the first shot of the match, squaring for Hall to fire from 20 yards, but Joe Cracknell was down to make the save.

The hosts, who reached their 365th day unbeaten at home in midweek, had early pressure from long throws but on the whole Harry Tyrer was comfortable. On the one occasion he punched the ball straight to the feet of Kieran Burton, the defender volleyed wide.

But Chester were the better side and had a couple of decent opportunities before the break. The impressive Hall clipped a cross to the back post on 28 minutes for top scorer Willoughby, but the front man couldn’t get any power behind his volley and it rolled wide.

The closest either side went prior to the interval was when Matty Williams rose highest to meet Declan Weeks’ outswinging corner, his header flying inches over the crossbar.

McIntyre’s men seized the initiative minutes into the second half and took the lead on 50 when Murray’s clever low corner found the run of Hall who ran on to the ball and smashed it in at the near post.

Caton then took his moments just beyond the hour mark to double the advantage.

He started the clinical counter, holding up the ball and finding Willoughby who returned it to the striker to confidently dispatch the second goal.

Two quickly almost became three and Caton was at the heart of it again. Driving forward and looking to return the favour to Willoughby, the number nine rifled a volley just the wrong side of the post.

Caton then fired wide from range, before the hosts pulled one back. A cut back from Kieran Glynn found Watson who powerfully drove it into the goal.

The home side pushed for a leveller but failed to trouble Tyrer, and Chester made it safe going into stoppage time. Weeks burst into the box and the ball broke kindly for Willoughby to slot home his 17th of the season and seal a massive win.

CHESTER: Tyrer, Morgan, Williams, Edwards, Heywood, Roberts, Weeks, Murray (Devine 77), Caton, Hall, Willoughby (Thomas 90+2).

SUBS NOT USED: Kenyon, Dudley, Lynch.

SCORERS: Watson 68; Hall 50, Caton 62, Willoughby 90.

ATTENDANCE: 1,905 (261 away).