League leaders Chester arrived at Seel Park with the biggest away following to visit Mossley for several seasons bumping the attendance up to nearly 900. What they witnessed however, was a nervous performance from their title chasing heroes who scraped home by the only goal against a Mossley side who have struggled for results for several weeks.

Mossley, strengthened at the back by the return of Andy Watson and skipper Graham Kay to the side, looked the better side in the early stages and pssed the ball well without causing Chester's experienced defence too much consternation.

The first real talking point came in the 20th minute when Chester's ex Ashton United star Iain Howard was red-carded for a two footed lunge at Matty Kay. As it happened the sending off hampered Mossley more than Chester as the visitors went narrow and defensive making an already strong defence into a near impenetrable fortress.

The game lacked much in action as both sides spent much time heading the ball in midfield areas, though Peter Collinge had to be alert to the danger as Powell broke clear, but the in form Mossley stopper won that particular challenge.

The game's only goal came in the 56th minute. Chester were awarded a somewhat mysterious free kick on the left close to the half way line. Aspin floated the ball into the Mossley box where Powell appeared to push Andy Watson out of the way before heading goalwards. Collinge made a block save but Chester captain George Horan was positioned to rap home the rebound.

Chester dropped deeper and deeper after that with a defensive shield that an army would be proud of and kept Mossley's marauding at bay.

Mossley almost took the point their efforts deserved a few minutes from time but Aspin cleared off the line from substitute Chris Hall's goal-bound header.

Report by Wizard

pics to follow