Chester completed the double over Lincoln City as Sean McConville’s goal just before the break brought a fourth straight victory and moved Chester up to tenth position.

Manager Steve Burr kept the same starting X1 as the one that had beaten the Imps 4-0 towards the end of last month, Kingsley James returned from suspension to take a place in the bench.

The first half chance of the game fell to Arnaud Mendy who shot over after some uncertainty in the Blues goal from Jon Worsnop following a long throw saw the loose ball fall free.

Chances were at a premium in the opening half but four minutes before half-time a moment of magic from McConville brought the game to life. On-loan striker Oliver McBurnie half off a couple of defenders to roll the ball to McConville who rifled home from the corner of the box giving goalkeeper Paul Farman no chance in the home goal.

A booking for Michael Kay early in the second period took his tally to 10 and brings with it a two match suspension. Farnam saved from a John Rooney free kick before some great defending from Gareth Roberts and Ben Heneghan denied Ben Tomlinson a great opportunity to bring the sides level.

Lincoln had plenty of possession in the last quarter of the game though Worsnop was rarely troubled as his defence kept the Imps at bay. McConville could have sealed the three points in the dying minutes but he managed to steer Brad Abbott’s pass wide of goal from close range.

That miss was forgotten moments later as referee Dean Treleaven blew for full-time as the Chester players went over to celebrate with the 335 Blues supporters who’d made the trip to Sincil Bank.


Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

• League table after this game