Chester City 2 Accrington Stanley 0

Last updated : 26 December 2008 By Footymad Previewer
Two Ryan Lowe goals gave Chester City the points in a League Two basement battle against Accrington Stanley.

After a bright start, Accrington were never in the hunt and struggled to match Chester's passion and commitment in midfield.

Chester opened the scoring on 34 minutes. The goal owed much to the persistence of Kevin Ellison who robbed defender Kieran Charnock near the byline and crossed for Lowe to score from six yards out.

Accrington's James Ryan came close to an equaliser in first-half stoppage time with a fierce free-kick which Chester keeper John Danby acrobatically turned over the bar.

Accrington boss John Coleman brought on Robert Grant shortly before the hour mark to replace the ineffective John Mullin, but his first contribution was to hand Chester their second goal.

Grant brought down Anthony Barry in the box and referee Steve Bratt had little alternative but to award the penalty kick which Lowe converted with ease, sending keeper Ian Dunbavin the wrong way.

Jamie Clarke nearly pulled one back immediately afterwards but shot over from ten yards out.

With 15 minutes remaining Danby then produced an outstanding save to touch a low drive from John Miles against the foot of the post.

Moments later it was Chester's turn to rattle the woodwork with a fantastic curling effort from Ellison which struck the bar.

The result is bound to delight Chester boss Mark Wright whose side have been struggling for goals and are languishing near the foot of the table.