York City 2-1 Chester
Chester were beaten in the Emirates FA Cup at National League York City despite a spirited effort at the LNER Community Stadium.
York Captain Lenell John-Lewis gave the hosts the lead on five minutes, converting from a near post corner, before doubling his and the teams tally on 66 minutes.
Chester’s skipper George Glendon pulled one back just after, but it wasn’t quite to be on a cold Tuesday night in Yorkshire.
Manager Calum McIntyre made two changes from the defeat at Darlington. Kieran Coates replaced Tom Sparrow, while Harrison Burke started in place of the cup-tied Tom Peers.
York made a positive start to the game and opened the scoring with the first chance of note.
Scott Burgess clipped a corner into the near post, and John-Lewis took the ball on his knee before smashing a volley home beyond Wyll Stanway.
Moments later it was almost two as John-Lewis cut inside and shot, Stanway parried it into the path of Olly Green – only to make it a double save – before Burke headed off the line from Ryan Fallowfield.
A shellshocked Yellows looked to respond after a slow opening ten. Glendon picked off a loose pass and found Adam Thomas, but his effort was saved at the near post by David Stockdale.
The half fizzled out as Chester looked more solid defensively, the Minstermen’s only real half chance coming just before the break as Tyler Cordner headed over from a Burgess corner.
Chester came out much improved as the atmosphere got louder, as a Burke looping header was comfortable for Stockdale.
A run moments later from the same man produced a dangerous cross which Stockdale could only palm out, causing a scramble in which Whitehouse and Coates went close before the ball rebounded inches wide of the post.
But just as the Yellows were building some momentum, York supplied the sucker punch midway through the second half.
A sliced Liam Edwards clearance was misread by Stanway and the ball bounced over the onrushing ‘keeper, enabling John-Lewis to tap in.
Chester almost responded instantly as good work from sub Charlie Caton saw the forward steal the ball from Cordner and then cutback for Weeks, his attempt brilliantly saved one-handed low by Stockdale.
But Stockdale couldn’t stop the Blues skipper on 71. A brilliant sliding pass Burke was poked home with coolness personified by Glendon, his fourth in five matches.
Moments later, a Weeks flick enabled the left peg of Caton to let fly, who drilled inches wide of the post.
Chester kept pressing and were having an almighty go, as Caton was foiled by Stockdale as the clock ticked over the 90 minute mark.
There was almost a leveller in stoppage time as Roberts released Matty Williams, but his cutback just failed to find a touch as the Blues exited the FA Cup.
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Chester: Stanway, Coates, Edwards, Williams Burke, Taylor, Roberts, Weeks, Whitehouse (Daly 82), Glendon, Thomas (Caton 46).
Subs Not Used: Davies, Evans, Sparrow, Murray, Heywood, Rosenblatt, Maguire.
Scorers: John-Lewis 5 & 66; Glendon 71.
Attendance: 3,850 (755 Chester).