REPORT | Tranmere 0-0 Chester

    Marcus Bignot’s Blues held on for a hard earned point at Prenton Park against a tough Tranmere side in the Vanarama National League.

    Goal bound efforts from Norwood and Mottley-Henry were denied by the Blues keeper Alex Lynch, who kept the Blues in the game for the majority of the encounter with a man of the match performance.

    Victory over Leyton Orient on Wednesday night provided Rovers with strong optimism heading into the clash at Prenton Park. Goals from Cook and Norwood secured all three points against the diminished east-London outfit, but another injury to Ben Tollitt casted a shadow over the win.

    Alex Lynch pulled off an outstanding fingertip save to keep the game goal less just ten minutes in. Connor Jennings’ strike caught a deflection off captain John McCombe, which allowed James Norwood to fire towards the top corner from the edge of the area – only to be denied by the Blues keeper.

    Above: Marcus and the team applaud the travelling fans (Pic: Terry Marland)
    Featured Image: Alex Lynch makes another superb save (Pic: Rick Matthews)

    Tranmere continued to boss the opening periods, and provided the Blues a few causes for concern. Norwood nodded wide of the mark, before a deep ball in from Liam Ridehalgh was met by Andy Cook – who guided his header a few inches past the post.

    Ross Hannah went the closest for the away side in the first half. A clever ball forward from team mate Kingsley James allowed the 31-year old with space to shoot, but he slotted his effort well wide of Davies near post.

    Soon into the second half, and the home side nearly put themselves in front. Adam Buxton found himself in acres to run into, before assessing his options and driving his rasping effort into the side netting.

    Lynch had to be alert to pull off yet another save to deny Dylan Mottley-Henry from point blank range. Jennings whipped the ball in towards the far post, and the on-loan Barnsley tricky winger rose the highest – but was outwitted by the Blues keeper, who palmed the ball to safety.

    Depsite the late onslaught, the Blues held on for a much deserved draw at Prenton Park – with a trip to Kidderminster in FA Cup action now the main focus for Marcus Bignot’s men.

    Tranmere Rovers: Davies, Buxton, Ridehalgh, Sutton, McNulty, Cook (McDonagh 61), Norwood, Jennings, Norburn (Harris 90), Mottley-Henry, Hughes.

    Subs not used: Pilling, McEveley, Alabi.

    Chester FC: Lynch, Halls, Rowe-Turner, James, McCombe, Astles, Turnbull, Hannah, Dawson, Akintunde, Shaw (Joyce 90).

    Subs not used: Chapell, Bell, Jones, Waters.

    Referee: Peter Wright

    Attendance: 7172 (1198 away)

    Match Report by Conor Shaw,