REPORT | Chester 2-2 Darlington

Chester produced a stunning late comeback to secure a point against Darlington.

Goals from Jake Cooper and Jake Cassidy had the visitors two goals to the good before full backs Kevin Roberts and Josh Askew rescued a point for the Blues, who scored twice in the space of two minutes.

The Blues made one change from the side that put Boston to the sword a week ago as Simon Grand came in for Danny Livesey.

It was a tense opening as both sides tried to work openings, the first of the game broke to the Blues as they worked the ball well with Charlie Jolley finding Roberts on the right but his dangerous cross was pushed away by Thomas Taylor in the Darlington goal.

The visitors responded almost immediately on the counter attack as Jack Lambert released Cassidy one on one with Louis Gray, but the Blues’ stopper made a superb save to keep the scores level. From the resultant corner broke to Lambert but his effort was cleared off the line by Jolley.

It was Darlington who struck the opening blow though as Cooper rose highest at the back post to convert a corner just before the half hour mark.

The visitors were pressing Chester high up the pitch and dispossessed the Blues on the halfway line to set Kevin Dos Santos away but he was denied by another fine one on one save from Gray.

Chester almost found a way back into the game before the break from a corner, Declan Weeks’ delivery was met by Grand but his header was superbly denied by Taylor before Jack Redshaw saw his shot cleared off the line.

The Blues started the second half brightly as they went in search of an equaliser, George Glendon’s free kick found Paddy Lacey but the header was straight at the Darlo number one.

Chester’s task got a lot taller just after the hour mark though as Darlington got their second on the counter attack, Lambert’s shot was pushed away by Gray but Cassidy was on hand to tap in the rebound.

The hosts should have pulled a goal back with ten minutes to go but unbelievably the ball stayed out. First, Taylor denied Jolley, then Dudley saw his effort blocked but the ball fell back to him only for him to hit the post. Substitute Askew then had the fourth effort which was deflected behind.

Darlington had a chance to extend their lead as Kallum Griffiths was played through but he fired his effort inches wide of the Chester goal.

The fightback was on though as the Blues pulled one back with six minutes to go, Weeks’ corner was met by Roberts, who forced his header beyond the dive of Taylor.

Two minutes later and the Blues were level. Man of the Match Roberts turned provider as his superb cross picked out Askew to head in at the back post and spark scenes of jubilation in the Harry Mac Terrace.

CHESTER: Gray, Roberts, Grand, Weeks, Glendon (c), Dudley, Horsfield (Askew 56), Lacey (Stephenson 60), Williams, Redshaw (Oyibo 67), Jolley

SUBS NOT USED: Cowan, Clark.

SCORERS: Roberts 84, Askew 86; Cooper 27, Cassidy 63.

ATTENDANCE: 2,357.