Report: Bedford Town 1-2 Chester

Late goals from Phil Croker and Fin Shrimpton earned three valuable points for Chester on the road at Bedford Town.

The Blues started with promise and had the first opportunity inside the opening five minutes, as Pat Jones found space but struck narrowly wide from an acute angle.

Lewis Leigh and Tom Peers both went close shortly after, but the number 16’s free-kick effort flew over from around 25 yards, before Peers connected well with an ambitious volleyed effort that climbed narrowly over the crossbar.

The hosts took the lead just after the half-hour mark, as Josh Castiglione headed past B. Jones from close-range after a flighted corner was headed back across the face of goal into the midfielder’s path.

Calum McIntyre’s men searched for a leveller immediately and went close on two occasions in quick succession, firstly through Fin Roberts, who saw his curled strike cleared behind by Greg Taylor, before Leigh drilled a powerful effort narrowly wide of the post from just outside the 18-yard box.

Peers had the first opportunity of the second period, as he spun his marker inside the area but fired over the top.

The Seals were on top throughout the remainder of the contest, and the next sight of goal came courtesy of substitute Declan Weeks who forced Rohan Luthra into a fine save with a powerful effort.

Phil Croker found the equaliser with three minutes of normal time remaining as he nodded past the ‘keeper after latching onto a looped cross from Fin Shrimpton, a deserved leveller for the Yellows.

The turnaround was complete in the dying embers of the contest, and Shrimpton was once again involved.

Michael Kelly sent a low cross the six-yard box and the ball popped up to our number 14, who powered the ball off the under-side of the bar and into the net.

The late drama earned three valuable points for the Seals, ahead of a midweek clash at the Deva against Alfreton Town.

Chester FC: B. Jones, Kelly-Evans (Mottley-Henry 80′), Leak, Croker, Kelly, Shrimpton, Murray (White 73′), Leigh, P. Jones, F. Roberts (Woods 73′), Peers (Weeks 54′)

Substitutes: Davies, Woodthorpe, I. Burgess

Scorers: Castiglione 31′, Croker 87′, 90+5′

Attendance: 1,132 (215 away)