REPORT | Woking 1-0 Chester

Josh Staunton’s scrappy goal midway through the first half proved to be the difference today at the Laithwaite Community Stadium.

Staunton bundled home on 23 minutes – before the hosts were reduced to ten men as Matt Young was shown a harsh red card.

The Blues pushed hard for an equaliser – Ross Hannah striking the crossbar – but Marcus Bignot’s side couldn’t find a leveller.

Chester started brightly – particularly down the left. Lathaniel Rowe-Turner’s early long throw causing some problems for the defence; before James Akintunde’s solo run inside forced Orlu into blocking his shot.

But, in testing conditions, the hosts clawed their way back into the game. Antony Cook whipped a free kick inches wide, before Reece Grego-Cox found the net but was flagged for offside. They weren’t to be denied the next time it hit the net though – as Staunton met Cook’s corner and the ball found its way beyond Hornby.

The Blues almost responded – but Baxter was equal to Ryan Astles’ header from Gary Roberts’ free kick.

Woking had chances to make it two before the break. Charlie Carter heading straight at Hornby – before the Chester on-loan keeper did well to deny Grego-Cox.

The momentum shifted back to Chester on 58 minutes when a seemingly innocuous challenge by Matt Young on Akintunde was deemed worthy of a red card by Referee Christopher O’Donnell.

The Blues were seeing a lot of possession but struggling to create – Jason Banton shooting just wide following a counter attack.

Ross Hannah’s introduction had an impact though – he met Shaun Hobson’s chipped ball forward and his shot clipped the top of the crossbar with Baxter beaten.

Hannah couldn’t get a shot away in stoppage time from Astles’ flick on from Roberts’ corner as Woking scrambled to maintain their lead – and Grego-Cox went down the other end and struck the crossbar in added time.

Nevertheless, the hosts held on for all three points.