CHESTER CITY continued their impressive Coca Cola League Two revival on Saturday, with a comprehensive and thoroughly professional performance against Bristol Rovers at the Deva Stadium.

The victory extended City’s unbeaten sequence to three matches, and the fact that they were missing three of their senior defenders through injury and then were dealt the blow of having to play for nearly 80 minutes without the experienced Ashley Westwood because of a hamstring injury, made the win more impressive.

Westwood hobbled out of the proceedings after 11 minutes and was substituted by the former Tranmere Rovers central defender Graham Allen.

Chester made all the early running, with Walters and Hand flashing shots just wide.

City took the lead after 18 minutes courtesy of a free kick from Kevin Sandwith.

The former Macclesfield defender thundered his 20 yard free kick into the net via a post.

A minute later the visitors had their best effort of the game, but Lambert’s shot smashed against a post before going to safety.

Eight minutes from the break Chester doubled their advantage with one of the best goals witnessed recently at the Deva.

Jon Walters was the orchestrator, slipping the ball to Roberto Martinez, who in one sweeping movement sublimely chipped it over Phillips and into the net with all the aplomb of the artisan he is.

City could easily have doubled their advantage in the second half, but Phillips made excellent saves to deny Walters and Blundell.

The overall performance of Martinez took the eye, but the whole team can take credit from a showing that gives hope for the rest of the season.

After the match a delighted City manager Mark Wright reflected: “I’ve had to chop and change recently, but we’ve had three positive results. The players gave me everything, and we’ve got to keep that up and build on these results. In the first half we looked pretty good, but with the injuries we’ve got, to get a result like that is fantastic. I couldn’t say there was one player who didn’t give me one hundred per cent.”

Wright added: “It was a fantastic day for us and the crowd played a big part in that, they lifted the players and when they get behind them like that it gives us an edge.”

Chester are hopeful they can complete the loan signing of the Lincoln City midfield player Ryan Semple later today. The Belfast-born player was at the Deva Stadium on Saturday as a guest of the City directors.

Chester City: Danby, Marples, Artell, Westwood, (Allen 11), Sandwith, Vaughan, Hand, Martinez, Wilson, Blundell, Walters (Broughton 80). Subs: Palethorpe, Holroyd, Rutherford.

Bristol Rovers: Phillips, Lescott, Hinton (Anthony 46), Elliott, Green, Igoe (Haldane 55), Hunt, Campbell ( Disley46), Lambert, R Walker, J Walker. Subs: Shearer, Carruthers.

Ref: John Moss (Leeds).

Att: 2,151.