MK Dons 1 Chester City 0

Mar 3 2008 by David Triggs, Chester Chronicle

PAUL Butler’s penalty miss proved costly for the Blues on Saturday as they fell to a narrow defeat to the League Two leaders.

The Dons enjoyed the greater share of possession during a tight first half, but Chester had the better chances – with Kevin Ellison failing to score after slicing through the home defence on three occasions.

Three minutes into the second period, City were awarded a penalty when Jordan Hadfield was harshly adjudged to have fouled Chris Holroyd in the area. Skipper Butler stepped up to take the spot-kick, but his weak right-footed effort was saved by Dons keeper Willy Gueret.

Paul Ince’s men claimed all three points thanks to a stunning 57th-minute strike by centre-back Danny Swailes, who volleyed home Colin Cameron’s corner from 16 yards.

It was to be Blues boss Bobby Williamson’s last game in charge as he was sacked the following day by club owner Stephen Vaughan.

Milton Keynes Dons: Gueret, Regan, Swailes, O’Hanlon, Stirling, Dyer, Navarro, Hadfield (Livermore 76), Miles, Cameron (Baldock 88), Johnson. Subs: Bastians, Edds, Abbey.

Booked: Hadfield, Livermore.

Goal: Swailes 57.

Chester: Danby, J Vaughan, Butler, Linwood, Wilson, Roberts, Dinning, Grant (Rutherford 83), Ellison, Murphy, Holroyd. Subs: Palethorpe, Sandwith, Kelly, Marples.

Attendance: 8,172.

Referee: Jon Moss (W Yorkshire).