City beaten by The Bantams

Chester City v Bradford City

A second half Barry Conlon goal was enough for Bradford City to return home with the three points at a wind swept Deva Stadium. Chester worked hard throughout the ninety minutes but struggled where it mattered most, in the final third of the field.

The Blues found themselves up against it right from the off with the visitors taking advantage of the wind. Peter Thorne had a close range effort from a corner but City keeper John Danby saved well. Chester retaliated with a long range drive from the impressive Paul Rutherford moments later sailing just over the bar.

Chances were at a premium for both sides as both sides struggled to assert themselves on the game. Danby blocked a Barry Conlon shot in the 25th minute but seconds later Mark Hughes retaliated with a long range drive just wide. City began to work even harder to create chances and good work by McManus paid off when City earned a rare free-kick in a dangerous position. Tony Dinning sent a dangerous ball into the area, but Bradford goalkeeper Scott Leach was able to collect.

Playing a smarter brand of attacking football Chester looked dangerous in the Bradford City half. But in the second period Chester were up against it. With the wind on their side Bradford attacked but City soaked up the pressure well for long spells. In the 56th minute the Blues had James Vaughan to thank for making a last gasp goal line clearance to deny the visitors an opener.

City surged forward but fell behind on a rare counter attack when Barry Conlon headed the ball home un-marked after connected with a cross from Joe Colbeck against appeals for offside.

City deserved an equaliser in the 74th minute when out of knowhere Kevin Ellison darted into the area with a cracking bullet header but somehow the Bradford goalkeeper pulled off an amazing reflex save to maintain his clean sheet.

The chances began to start flooding in for the visitors as City’s defence struggled to contain the Bantams lively forwards. City were fortunate not to go further behind in the 79th minute when Barry Conlon rattled Danby’s crossbar with a fabulous half volley.

City desperately went in search of a last ditch equaliser as the clock ticked down but Bradford's defence stood firm.

Chester City: John Danby, James Vaughan, Laurence Wilson, Paul Linwood (Captain), Tony Dinning, Mark Hughes, Kevin Roberts, Kevin Ellison, Paul Rutherford, John Murphy, Paul McManus

Substitutes: Phil Palethorpe, Kevin Sandwith, Shaun Kelly, Glenn Rule, Andy Mitchell

Bradford City: Scott Leach, Darren Williams, Paul Heckingbottom, Paul Evans, David Wetherall (Captain), Eddie Johnson, Barry Conlon, Peter Thorne, Joe Colbeck, Kyle Nix (77 Alex Rhodes), Thomas Moncur

Unused subsititutes: Mark Bower, Tom Penfold, Willy Topp, Darren Ricketts