Kick-off: 19:30
Venue: 96.6 TFM Darlington Arena
Attendance: 3294
Referee: Shoebridge, R

Live Commentary

Match Report

Darlington kept up the pressure on the league leaders, but this was a far from convincing performance and Chester's caretaker-manager Simon Davies will have been disappointed that his side failed to take at least a point.

The hosts began brightly and a long-range shot from captain Steve Foster in the eighth minute tested keeper John Danby.

Darlington were quickly back on the attack four minutes later when on-loan midfielder Jason Kennedy drilled the ball wide from inside the area.

Chester responded in the 16th minute with a left-foot drive from Kevin Ellison that failed to test David Stockdale in the Darlington goal.

That was the story of the night for the visitors. They showed plenty of flair but lacked a killer touch in front of goal and it appeared that one goal would be enough to win it.

The goal eventually came for Darlington four minutes after striker Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu had struck an upright in the 23rd minute.

In their next move Julian Joachim sent over a teasing right-wing cross and former Swansea striker Pawel Abbott looped a header over Danby to put the promotion-chasers on top.

There was more than a hint of controversy about the goal as seconds earlier the visitors were denied a free-kick deep inside their own half.

The assistant-referee failed to spot the offence and moments later the hosts were in front.

Better was hoped for in the second period but Darlington looked nervous and they failed to create a clear-cut opportunity in the second 45 minutes.

Chester were given hope of a fightback and in the 58th minute but Stockdale did well when to deny Ellison again.

In the 65th minute a Kevin Sandwith free-kick from just outside the area drifted narrowly wide and an even better chance fell to City when Kevin Roberts headed a Tony Dinning cross inches wide soon after.

Darlington Team

Chester City Team

Darlington

Chester City

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides

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