Photo: Rio Doherty
By Rio Doherty
Chester FC succumbed to a 0-1 defeat against York City at the Deva Stadium, with the visitors strengthening their bid for a play-off berth.
The Seals sealed survival in their previous game having defeated Farsley Celtic 1-0, also at the Deva.
It is York however, who have plenty to play for and given they came out on top at Chester they have now moved up to sixth.
Blues manager Steve Watson locked horns against his previous club having departed York last November but he was edged out by John Askey who he appointed as a coach before his dismissal.
It was The Blues who had the opening chance of the contest with Matty Williams blazing over after nine minutes, while at the other end The Minstermen went close themselves as Maziar Kouhyar slotted just wide. One minute later the Yorkshire outfit had another opportunity with Wyll Stanway denying a Lenell John-Lewis header.
York maintained their early dominance as a Mitch Hancox attempt was diverted over the bar for a corner. But with only three minutes of the half left, Chester almost went in front courtesy of Marcus Dackers, who glanced a corner wide.
There were a fair few opportunities for both sides in the opening 45, but due to inconsistencies in front of goal it remained level at the half-time interval with everything still at stake.
Ten minutes into the second-half York had the first chance of the period, as Mitch Hancox once again failed to hit the target. On the 68th-minute mark York City landed a strong blow to Chester, because Lenell John-Lewis converted from close range to make it 0-1 to the visitors.
The Cestrians were on the hunt for an equaliser with Marcus Dackers firing over 11 minutes after York took the lead, while in front of the Harry Mac Wyll Stanway impressively denied Maziar Kouhyar from adding a second for the visitors.
Chester continued to put up a fight as Harrison Burke did well to connect with a Rob Apter corner but unfortunately for the hosts he was kept out by Peter Jameson.
York held their own defensively to record only their third win in nine – putting them back into the play-off positions above Boston United.
Chester FC only have three more games left in the National League North campaign, starting with a two-hour journey to Derbyshire to take on high-flying Alfreton Town on Saturday.
The second match of the Bank Holiday double-header will be against Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC on Monday at the Deva Stadium – their final home clash of the campaign.
As for York City, they make the short trip to Yorkshire neighbours Farsley Celtic on Saturday, who were narrowly defeated by Chester just a week ago.
On Monday the Minstermen entertain AFC Fylde at the LNER Community Stadium in what promises to be an intriguing encounter with both sides occupying slots in the play-offs.
