Chester City 2 Bury 1

Dec 22 2007 by David Triggs, Chester Chronicle

THE Blues ground out a narrow home win over 10-man Bury at the Deva Stadium this afternoon to keep pace with the League Two promotion chasers.

The Shakers dominated the first half and deservedly went ahead on 16 minutes through Andy Bishop, who collected a right-wing cross by Nicky Adams and out-muscled Paul Butler before firing past City keeper John Danby from close range.

Chester, however, grabbed a lifeline 90 seconds into first-half stoppage time through midfielder Mark Hughes. After Richie Partridge’s corner kick was only partially cleared, Hughes latched on to the loose ball and rammed it past keeper Jim Provett from 20 yards for his second goal in successive matches.

City played with more purpose after the break and their cause was helped by the 66th-minute dismissal of Bishop, who saw red after picking up a second yellow card for a late challenge on Simon Marples.

Bobby Williamson’s men snatched a winner 11 minutes from time following a surging run down the left flank by Kevin Roberts. The teenage midfielder whipped an inch-perfect cross to the far post for Kevin Ellison to head home from a tight angle.

City’s next match at away to Morecambe on Boxing Day.

Chester: Danby, Vaughan, Butler, Linwood, Marples, Partridge, Roberts, Hughes, Ellison, Murphy (Holroyd 86), Lowndes (Yeo 58). Subs: Ward, Rutherford, Newton.

Booked: Hughes

Goals: Hughes 45, Ellison 79.

Bury: Provett, Haslam, Morgan, Futcher, Parrish (Hughes 83), Scott, Buchanan, Woodthorpe, Adams, Bishop, Hurst.

Subs: Baker, Barry-Murphy, Dorney, McAllister.

Sent off: Bishop (66).

Booked: Bishop, Hurst, Woodthorpe.

Goals: Bishop 16.

Attendance: 2,260.

Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).