THE MATCH

The odds were stacked against them but Chester FC under-18s claimed the biggest scalp in their history as they earned a deserved 2-0 win over Bolton Wanderers to book their place in round three of the FA Youth Cup.

Goals from Nathan Brown and Connor Rowbottom earned safe passage for Chester, a team who didn't have bibs and balls when they started out six years ago, against a team whose academy is heavily funded and full time.

The Blues went into the clash hugely unfancied but they refused to be overawed by the occasion and rode some early pressure and had the first real chance of the half when Connor Rowmbottom volleyed over from close range when he should have done better.

Bolton went close when the tricky Alex Samizadeh pulled out a great save from James Hodges with a snapshot from 10 yards before the same player had a near post effort saved by Hodges when he was through on goal.

Chester were organised and frustrated Bolton, battling well and winning the second ball.

Their reward came on 38 minutes when the excellent Tom Crawford threaded a delightful ball through to the diminutive Brown who saw his initial effort saved when one-on-one with James Aspinall but he made no mistake in converting the rebound to hand the Blues the lead.

Hodges was in inspired form and made a sensational stop from Cameron Moore's point-blank header from a corner and the Blues keeper was also on hand to deny Samizadeh again.

Chester were handed a big boost when Bolton were reduced to 10 men on 70 minutes when Luca Navarro, on as a sub only seven minutes previous, reacted with his head to a late challenge from Crawford.

Bolton pressed higher and higher as they looked to hit back and Hodges was called upon once again to save the day as he denied Samizadeh when he was clean through.

Bolton poured forward late on as they looked for a way back but the tie was made safe deep into injury time when the ball broke free and Brown slid in Rowbottom who raced half the length of the pitch before slipping the ball past Aspinall to cap a memorable night.

Chester will now travel to Broxbourne Borough in round three.

STAR MAN

James Hodges : A stunning display from the Blues keeper who was in inspired form. He pulled off save after save and Bolton, try as they might, simply could not find a way past.

MATCH FILE

Chester: Hodges, Thomson, Downes, Crayston, E Jones, J Jones, Edwards, Crawford, Rowbottom, Brown, Ap-Gareth. Subs: Cottrell, Carr, Hardman, Dobson, Hewitt.

Bookings: Crawford, Rowbottom

Goals: Brown 38, Rowbottom 90+4

Bolton: Aspinall, Grant, Lonsdale, Marsh (Navarro 62), Brockbank, Grivosti, Politic, Earing, Samizadeh, Moore (Everest 78), White. Subs: Turner, Abdo, Jones-Griffiths.

Bookings: Grivosti

Sent off: Navarro

Goals:

Attendance: 580.

Referee: Nik Storey.