Chester City 0 Macclesfield Town 0

May 9 2008 by Alec Doyle, Chester Chronicle

Coca-Cola League Two

Saturday, May 3

Deva Stadium

Chester: Danby, J Vaughan, Sandwith, Kelly, Linwood (Roberts 46), Partridge (Rule 72), Hughes, Grant, Rutherford (Mitchell 55), Murphy, McManus. Subs: Palethorpe, Wilson.

Macclesfield: Brain, I Reid, Ashton, Dimech, Walker, Tolley, L Reid (Edghill 72), Rooney, Green (Evans 62), Gritton (Blackman 62), Teague. Subs: Thomas, Cresswell.

Booked: Edghill.

Attendance: 2,396

Referee: Jon Moss (Leeds)

END of the season, nothing to play for, Chester’s players basked in the sunshine at the Deva and played out a dull 0-0 draw with near neighbours Macclesfield.

No-one obviously told Paul McManus, however, as he raced around like a Tasmanian devil chasing every lost cause all afternoon with admirable dedication.

Both sides’ leisurely approach meant there were opportunities, but while first Linwood and Kelly and then Kelly and Roberts – following Linwood’s retirement with injury – had the Silkmen’s forward line in their back pockets, Chester almost scored when Richie Partridge attempted a deft chip of the Brain which the keeper somehow got a fingertip to.

It was the one piece of excitement in a game which, if nothing else, demonstrated how much effort Chester’s youngsters invested in their previous game against Stockport to ensure their survival in League Two.

Star Man: Shaun Kelly