Chester City 0 MK Dons 2

Nov 17 2007 by David Triggs, Chester Chronicle

THE Blues lost valuable ground in the League Two promotion race this afternoon as they fell to defeat against the table-topping Dons.

City could find no way past Dons keeper Willie Gueret, who saved a second-half penalty from Simon Yeo and made two other top-class stops.

Paul Ince’s visitors were by far the better side in the first half and went 1-0 up on 38 minutes through Mark Wright, who netted after Chester keeper John Danby had blocked a shot from Aaron Wilbraham.

City defender Paul Linwood, who had been suffering from blurred vision during the opening period, was replaced at the break by Tony Grant, meaning Kevin Roberts dropped back from midfield to centre back.

Grant had a steadying influence on the game and the Blues began to put the Dons under pressure.

Gueret did superbly to push away a John Murphy volley on 58 minutes and, soon after, the Dons doubled their lead. Jemal Johnson was the goalscorer, prodding home a Lloyd Dyer cross from close range.

Chester were awarded a penalty 14 minutes from time when Wright handled in the area, but Gueret pushed Yeo’s weak effort to safety.

Less than 60 seconds later, the Dons keeper made an even better save to keep out a ferocious drive from Kevin Ellison and ensure there were no late scares.

Chester: Danby, Marples, Linwood (Grant 46), Butler, Wilson, Partridge, Dinning, Roberts, Ellison, Murphy, Lowndes (Yeo 74). Subs: Ward, McManus, Holroyd.

MK Dons: Gueret, Diallo, Swailes, O'Hanlon, Lewington, Wright (Cameron 82), Navarro, Andrews, Dyer (Knight 65), Wilbraham, Johnson. Subs: Abbey, Gallen, Broughton.

Booked: Diallo, Swailes.

Goals: Wright 38, Johnson 64.

Attendance: 3,102.

Referee: Eddie Ilderton (Tyne & Wear).