CHESTER CITY lost their first pre-season game last night, when they went down to a brace of second half goals from Coca-Cola Championship side Stoke City.

This was an enjoyable run-out and there were a number of positives from Mark Wright's side.

However, Chester suffered an injury blow in the second period when central defender Phil Bolland came off the pitch with a dislocated shoulder after a collision with a Stoke forward.

If the injury needs surgery it will mean that the talented defender could be out of action for two to three months. The player will undergo tests today.

Virtually all of City's summer signings were on show and the League Two outfit virtually played two separate sides, one in the first period and another in the second half.

The first half XI looked the sharper of the two "teams" on show, with former Everton youngster Lawrence Wilson and trialist Jon Newby taking the eye. The visitors led 10 minutes into the second period when Icelandic player Hannes Sigurdsson took advantage of some weak marking to hit a low effort past Danby from 15 yards.

Stoke doubled their advantage after 72 minutes when Darel Russell cut in from the left and swept the ball past the despairing dive of Danby.

Chester's assistant manager Graham Barrow said: "It was a good work-out for the lads. I thought we were slightly the better side in the first half but we were disappointed with the two goals we conceded. Overall the work-out was satisfactory."

Chester's next friendly match is tomorrow evening, against Belgian side Cercle Brugge at the Deva Stadium (kick-off 7.45pm).

CHESTER CITY (first half): Danby, Marples, Allen, Artell, Hessey, Wilson, Bennett, S Vaughan, Cronin, Walters, Newby.
CHESTER CITY (second half): Danby, Marples (Hessey 60), Bolland (Wilson 80), Westwood, Linwood, Sandwith, Hand, S Vaughan, McSporran, Blundell, Broughton.