Stevenage 1, Chester 2

Apr 17 2001 Daily Post

TEN-MAN Chester survived some concerted pressure to take all three points at Broadhall Way.

City enjoyed the perfect start as Neil Fisher lobbed Borough goalkeeper Chris Taylor to give them a fourth-minute lead.

But the home side levelled on 26 minutes courtesy of a bad error by City keeper Wayne Brown.

His poor left-footed clearance fell to Dean Martin, who lobbed the stranded City custodian from 35 yards out.

Stevenage poured forward in search of a second but were hit by a sucker punch on the stroke of half-time. Darren Wright slotted home when Fisher's free kick was poorly headed by Leon Cort.

City were glad to see a flag raised for offside when Craig Gaunt put through his own net 40 seconds into the second half. But three minutes later, the same player was red carded for a second caution.

The 10 men defended well but must have been relieved to see Neil Illman's shot come back off a post.

Matt Woods and Steve Whitehall threatened a third, and when they did have the ball in the net, it was disallowed for a foul on Taylor.

Brown was down quickly to smother a Sam McMahon shot late on.