RYAN Lowe’s coolly-taken brace helped the Blues end their long wait for a win at the Deva Stadium this evening.
The City talisman bagged a goal in each half either side of a Kevin Roberts effort as high-flying Brentford were put to the sword.
It was Chester’s first win in nine matches, while keeper John Danby was able to celebrate his first clean sheet since the 0-0 draw with Macclesfield on May 3.
Brentford striker Nathan Elder rattled the crossbar from close range on 24 minutes – and the miss proved costly as the Blues went ahead less than 60 seconds later.
James Vaughan’s volleyed pass was helped on by Eddie Johnson for Lowe, who advanced into the area and beat visiting keeper Ben Hamer with a composed finish.
City rode their luck for the rest of the period but some stout defending saw them take a 1-0 lead into the break.
The hosts put the game to bed with two goals within a three-minute spell in the second half.
On 57 minutes, an unmarked Roberts made it 2-0 with a powerful header from Lowe’s precise free-kick on the right wing.
It became 3-0 on the hour when a Mark Hughes header fell perfectly for Lowe, who once again kept his cool to beat Hamer with a neat right-footed finish.
The goal knocked the stuffing out of the Bees and City should really have added to their tally in the final half-hour.
They came closest to netting a fourth through sub Paul Rutherford, who beat Hamer in a race to the ball but saw his shot bounce for a goal kick off the outside of the post.
City were left to settle for a three-goal margin of victory – something which few of their fans would have predicted as they made their way to the Deva Stadium before kick-off.
The result saw Brentford, who went into the game sitting in second spot, slip down to fourth.
Chester: Danby, J Vaughan, Linwood, Roberts, Barry, Harris, Mozika, Hughes, Ellison, Lowe, Johnson (Rutherford 88). Subs: McManus, Mitchell, Williams, Allison. Booked: Harris. Goals: Lowe 25, Roberts 57, Lowe 60.
Brentford: Hamer, Newton, Bennett, Wilson, Wood (Dickson 63), Williams, Bean, Halls, Poole (Phillips 77), Elder (Ademola 53), MacDonald. Subs: O’Connor, Brown.
Attendance: 1,301.
Referee: Craig Pawson (Sheffield).
