The season edges ever closer.
Chester FC play their penultimate game of their pre-season schedule this evening when they welcome League Two outfit Morecambe to the Swansway Chester Stadium.
With the National League North season set to get underway on August 4 for the Blues at home to Spennymoor Town, Chester bosses Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley will be looking for their players to battle for places in the starting XI for a week on Saturday.
And having lost 1-0 to League Two side Bury on Saturday, tonight's opponents will provide another stern examination of Chester's credentials ahead of the new season.
After tonight's clash with Jim Bentley's Morecambe, Chester host Everton under-23s on Saturday - their final game before the big kick off.
We'll bring you all the build-up team news and match action as it happens from the Deva as the Blues take on the Football League Shrimps.
Key Events
Match report
On the whistle report from tonight’s 2-2 draw. HERE is Dave Powell’s verdict.
Full time: Chester 2 Morecambe 2
Really entertaining stuff here tonight and a deserved draw for a battling Chester side against their loftier opponents.
GOAL! Chester 2 Morecambe 2
Gary Roberts slams home from the spot after Matty Hughes saw goalbound shot handled by Kenyon.
GOAL! Chester 1 Morecambe 2
Jason Oswell fires home the penalty after Ellison was tripped by Howson in the box. 82 minutes.
Good spell
Good spell again from the Blues as Mahon and Pritchard both send in inviting crosses.
Wasted chance
Tyler Brownsword wastes a free header from a corner, heading up in the air and allowing Shenton to gather.
Triple sub
Triple Chester change. Trialist C, Mahon and Hughes on for Deane Smalley, Trialist B and Mooney. 66 mins.
Ambitious!
Moran wins the ball and feeds Mooney who breaks and tries to lob Halstead from 45 yards. Doesn’t trouble Halstead.
Relief!
Bit of a let off for Chester as Ellison skews wide when well positioned on the edge of the box.
Blues corner
Pritchard beats Gomes down the line and wins a corner but Blues can’t capitalise.
Good move
Good move sees Smalley do well to find South Mimms whose cross is headed just wide by Deane Smalley.
Half Time: Chester 1 Morecambe 1
Shrimpers been the more dominant force and Blues struggling to create in final third but a lot of endeavour and decent shape.
Decent chance
Through ball from South Mimms finds Dom Smalley whose effort is pushed just wide. Grand heads over from a corner.
Shrimpers effort
Zak Mills manages to beat Pritchard but his effort from 20 yards curls well wide.
Fired over
Fleming shoots just over again for Morecambe after finding room on the edge of the box following a corner.
GOAL! Chester 1 Morecambe 1
The Blues immediately draw level. Howson heads home at the back post from a Gary Roberts free kick.
GOAL! Chester 0 Morecambe 1
Howson misses a header at the back post and Ellison effort is blocked by Moran but Fleming on hand to fire home from 10 yards.
Just over
Kevin Ellison manages to evade a couple of challenges on the edge of the box before rasping a left-footed effort inches over the crossbar.
An early blow
Captain Scott Burton limps off after a heavy challenge. Not taking any risks. Gary Roberts to come on.
Shrimpers in charge
Morecambe causing some problems for Chester coming forward at the moment. Shrimpers the better team in the opening 10 minutes.
