REPORT | Boston United 4-0 Chester

Chester suffered a third consecutive defeat on the road this afternoon at Boston United.

The damage was done in the opening half hour as goals from Luke Shiels and a brace from Fraser Preston had the Pilgrims three to the good at the break.

Danny Elliott added a fourth from the spot against his former club on a disappointing afternoon for the Blues.

Steve Watson made four changes from Saturday’s 4-3 loss at Curzon Ashton, with Danny Livesey and Declan Weeks missing out due to injury – while Marcus Dackers and Josh Askew both dropped to the bench.

Simon Grand returned from suspension, and was joined in the starting eleven by Paddy Lacey, David Fitzpatrick and George Waring.

It was a quiet start in Lincolnshire, as Chester had half chances which saw Darren Stephenson and Fitzpatrick have low crosses in which failed to find a Blue shirt.

Then, up the other end on the quarter of an hour mark, Paul Cox’s side claimed the opener.

Joe Leesley’s inswinging corner found the head of Captain Shiels, who nodded down and beyond Louis Gray.

One became two moments later. Former Blue Elliott got to a ball on the left byline, and his low cross was diverted in by Preston after Gray appeared to have pushed the ball against the forward.

The margin increased just beyond the half hour mark as Preston made it a brace. The Blues had initially cleared before Scott Duxbury’s header back into the area fell kindly for the Boston forward who had time and space to convert.

Loanee Rob Apter looked to reduce the arrears before the interval but his whipped effort from range flew over the crossbar.

A double switch at the break was made by Steve Watson, but it was the Pilgrims that would strike first in the second half and add to their lead. The impressive Preston spun away from Grand’s sliding challenge and drove into the box, before being fouled by Roberts.

Elliott stepped up and dispatched from the spot, beating Gray to his right.

Stephenson almost got a goal back on the hour mark, as Waring played him through, but his effort was beaten away by Marcus Dewhurst.

Dewhurst was called into action again on 72 minutes, showing excellent reactions to tip over Dackers’ header from George Glendon’s excellent delivery. Moments later Glendon went close himself, spinning and curling inches wide from Fitzpatrick’s positive pass forward.

The Blues continued to look for a consolation to give the fantastic 142 travelling fans something to shout about, but late on once again Dewhurst was called into action to deny Apter.

CHESTER: Gray, Roberts, Williams, Grand, Fitzpatrick, Apter, Lacey (Horsfield 46), Glendon, Stephenson, Simmonds (Dackers 46), Waring.

SUBS NOT USED: Stanway, Burke, Askew.

SCORERS: Shiels 15, Preston 17 & 33, Elliott (pen) 53.

ATTENDANCE: 1,654 (142 Chester).