CHESTER collected their first home win of the year to boost their Conference promotion hopes.
But the sending-off of skipper Phil Bolland with eight minutes left spoiled the afternoon for manager Mark Wright.
With co-defender Wayne Hatswell set to miss the game at Burton Albion on Saturday because of suspension Bolland will be banned for the vital clash against Doncaster Rovers in a fortnight - unless the club decide to appeal.
It was a successful afternoon for City's new strike partnership of top scorer Daryl Clare and Mark Quayle, on loan from Nuneaton. Both were on the scoresheet after firing blanks in the defeat at Dagenham and Redbridge the previous weekend.
Clare took just nine minutes to break the deadlock finishing off a sparkling move between Quayle and Michael Twiss, but there were very few chances for the rest of the half.
The action came thick and fast after the break with Halifax goalkeeper Lee Butler doing well to block a shot from Clare before the rebound eventually fell for Quayle who netted from close range to double City's lead on 53 minutes.
Butler went on to make two great saves from Twiss, although the visitors went close when Andy Farrell rounded Scott Guyett before shooting against an upright.
City also lived dangerously when Lee Woodyatt made a goalline clearance to deny Adam Quinn, but Halifax were genrally well held by the solid Chester defence.
Bolland's dismissal came when he was booked for the second time in the game, but it looked a harsh decision by fussy referee Paul Canadine, of Rotherham.
For all the latest news from the Deva Stadium see Friday's Chester Chronicle.
