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Chester City v Stockport County

John Danby pulled off the saves of his career to ensure City’s survival in the football league after a nail-biting end to end encounter with Stockport County at the Deva Stadium ended in a draw.

Chester City got off to the better start creating a number of half chances in the opening stages. Kevin Sandwith sent a long range effort high and wide and then after twelve minutes the Stockport goalkeeper Conrad Logan’s clearance bizarrely hit John Murphy in the back with the ball deflecting out of play when it looked as though the ball could have looped back into the County net.

In a rousing start, the game became end to end with former City star Ryan Lowe forcing a comfortable save out of John Danby, but Paul McManus sent an effort wide at the other end. Then, there was further drama when Shaun Kelly almost put the ball in his own net when he caught the end of a nasty deflection from Pilkington’s free-kick but fortunately saw the ball trickle wide of the post.

Stockport County suffered an injury scare in the 28th minute when clearly struggling, boss Jim Gannon was forced to bring off his leading goalscorer, Liam Dickinson, replacing him with Adam Proudlock.

The Blues enjoyed the majority of possession in a first half where they clearly meant business. And with minutes ticking down, Richie Partridge could have found an opening when he sailed a powerful header agonisingly over the bar from around six yards out.

City came out in the second all guns blazing. Almost straight away City went on the attack and Paul McManus struck a thunderous half valley that looked destined for the back of the net. The Stockport keeper was equal to it though parrying the ball away from danger and back into open play.

But a few minutes later County attacked and City had their goalkeeper to thank when John Danby pulled off a wonderful block to deny Stockport substitute Adam Proudlock from opening the scoring. The visitors got a foothold in the game and stepped up the pressure with a barrage of attacks. Again Danby kept City in the game with another wonderful save from Proudlock with just seven minutes played in the second half.

Moments later the visitors sent a free-kick wide of the target as City’s fans began to feel anxious but City switched the play to the other end of the field quickly winning a corner after a quick break away down the left flank.

With thirty minutes remaining City manager Simon Davies made a double substitution bringing off Richie Partridge and Paul McManus for the fresh legs of Tony Grant and Paul Rutherford but City remained under the cosh with Stockport looking for victory.

But with fifteen minutes remain City had the best chance of the game when Murphy connected with a cross rising high above his marker powerfully heading low, but Logan reacted quickly to save. With minutes ticking down City got men behind the ball and soaked up intense County pressure. With nine minutes remaining City shot-stopper John Danby pulled off a priceless double save to deny the Anthony Pilkington a goal to ensure the Blues remained in the football league for another season.

Attendance: 3,060

Chester City Man of the Match: John Danby