AS away performances go, Chester’s trip to Grimsby was textbook.
They defended strongly, rode a little luck and were alert to put away two chances which preserved their unbeaten away record, in the process ruining the Mariners’ unbeaten home record.
Kevin Ellison shone throughout, putting himself about all over the park and terrorising Grimsby down both the left and right flank.
But it was fellow winger Richie Partridge who was responsible for the opening goal.
He beat Tom Newey at left back 10 minutes in but the Town player pulled on his arm to stop him passing.
The linesman flagged furiously and Grimsby stopped, expecting the referee to blow for a foul on the winger, but Essex official Fred Graham played advantage and Partridge crossed for John Murphy to slot past the static Phil Barnes in Grimsby’s goal.
The home side equalised 14 minutes later when Peter Till beat Laurence Wilson down the left and crossed in for the unmarked Danny Boshell to head home.
The Mariners created many chances but Isaiah Rankin was misfiring all night and as the lone striker, he proved ineffective in front of goal.
John Danby kept Chester level with some superb reflex saves on the few occasions Grimsby did manage to shoot.
Nathan Lowndes was taken off after struggling following a challenge in the 41st minute and Williamson introduced Simon Yeo.
That changed the whole complexion of the match as Yeo’s clever running and vision made Chester more potent going foward.
In the first minute of the second half, Rankin broke forward and found himself one-on-one with Danby, but a combination of his panic and Danby’s quick reflexes saw the Chester stopper block the ball with an outstretched foot.
Almost straight away, Chester were up the other end as Yeo turned his man and unleashed a brilliant shot at goal.
It beat the keeper but came back off the post, presenting Kevin Ellison with a simple tap-in.
After the game, Ellison said: ‘I’m happy when Yeo hits the post and it rolls out to me for a tap in!
‘At home they’re a decent team but we soaked it up and hit them on the counter.
‘I have not played well for the last three games, perhaps I have been trying too hard to play well, but I was relaxed for this one and I am happy with my performance.’
