Chester Battle Back To Earn Second Away Point

By Steve Whitney

The only game in the Vanarama National League on Saturday, due to the Emirates FA Cup, was between Eastleigh and Chester FC – a game originally postponed on September 30th due to a waterlogged Silverlake Stadium pitch.

The Spitfires were looking to follow up last weekend`s win over Macclesfield Town, while struggling Chester were hoping to bounce back from a 1-0 defeat at Maidstone United after an encouraging win for Marcus Bignot`s side against Barrow AFC in their previous outing.

So, at start of play, the visitors would probably have settled for a point – only their second earned away from home to date this season.

It didn`t start well for Bignot`s men, however, as they trailed after less than 2 minutes when Ben Williamson scored from the edge of the box.

Chester came close to immediately levelling, but Ross Hannah`s header was cleared off the line by Callum Howe.

The home side took their lead into the break, and then just 8 minutes after it, doubled their advantage with a strike from the experienced Gary McSheffrey.

However, Chester showed some battling spirit and reduced the deficit on the hour-mark when James Akintunde netted after good work from Kingsley James.

Two minutes from time, the visitors shocked their hosts by equalising when Ryan Astles headed home from a corner.

Where next?

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