Chester FC maintained their unbeaten pre-season run with an entertaining 3-2 home win against Airbus UK Broughton on Wednesday night.
The visitors had graciously stepped in as replacements after the planned friendly with a Bolton Wanderers XI was called off last week, although the Wingmakers had to wear green bibs for the game due to a kit clash.
Both sides will have appreciated the good workout their opponents gave, with the match hanging in the balance until Craig Mahon netted the deciding goal in the 86th minute.
The Blues had taken the lead on 28 minutes when Kane Richards grabbed his third goal of pre-season with an accurately aimed header from defender Evan Horwood's cross.
Richards was on course to grab a second goal when he broke free in the box in the 41st minute, only to be felled by experienced Airbus defender Paul Connolly with referee Dave Underwood pointing to the spot.
James Alabi, who moments earlier had produced a sublime run to beat four opponents before having his shot superbly saved, duly fired in the resultant spot-kick past keeper Ryan Nield.
The visitors regrouped after the break and impressive trialist Fabio Bassangue fired in a sweet right-footed shot from the edge of the box past Chester keeper Jon Worsnop to make the score 2-1.
A small slice of luck on 64 minutes ensured the Wingmakers equalised after Kevin Montiero's shot in the box took a deflection and pinged into the roof of the net moments after Worsnop had denied former Blues favourite Matty McGinn with an excellent save.
Chester came on strong thanks to a quadruple substitution and, following a series of crosses from the likes of Eliott Durrell, Jordan Chapell and impressive youngster Matty Waters, Mahon was there to grab the late winner.
Talking points
Forward thinking: The partnership of Alabi and Richards could definitely be one to watch this season. They linked up well in the first half and showed some good creativity moving forward, adding a dimension to play that wasn't seen all that often at times last season. If they can continue to work together there should be reasons to be cheerful for Blues supporters.
Match stats
Chester FC: Worsnop, Waters, Hudson, Astles, Horwood (Evans 65), Mahon, George (Joyce 65), Shaw (Hughes 65), Hunt (Chapell 22), Alabi (Durrell 65), Richards.
Goals: Richards 28, Alabi 41, Mahon 86.
Airbus UK Broughton: Nield, Roberts-Nurse, McGinn, Michael, Williams, Connolly, Edwards, Monteiro, Wignall, Smith, Murphy.
Subs: Mendes, Bassangue, Hulley, Evans, Blake, Cook, Maldon.
Goals: Bassangue 50, Monteiro 64.
Referee: Dave Underwood (Lancashire).
Attendance: 589.
Star man: Kane Richards.
