ALDERSHOT TN 1, CHESTER 2

ALDERSHOT hit the woodwork three times before deservedly taking the lead in the first half, yet contrived to lose to struggling Chester at the EBB Stadium today.

There seemed only one result as Aldershot completely dominated the first 45 minutes, with the new attacking midfield duo of James Rowe and Bobby-Joe Taylor running Chester ragged as they swapped flanks at will and fed dangerous balls towards front-runners Shaun Okojie and Matt McClure.

Rowe struck the crossbar with a tremendous free-kick and it was Rowe’s lay-off that set up Taylor who hit the near post with a cannon shot.

Aldershot’s luck was again out on 28 minutes when Taylor played the ball in from the right and Rowe found space for a shot that smacked against the underside of the crossbar and bounced down without crossing the line – according to the linesman.

A goal had to come, though, and Chester’s defence was finally breached in the 34th minute. Okojie’s sublime touch created the chance and McClure swept the ball past goalkeeper Conor Mitchell.

Chester manager Jon McCarthy made a double substitution at half-time, but that was not the reason for the change that came over the game.

Just two minutes in, striker Okojie of all people was adjudged to have tripped Craig Mahon inside the penalty area. There was contact, but Mahon appeared to hit the deck as a delayed reaction.

Lucas Dawson converted the penalty and the spark went out of Aldershot’s game, while Chester gained in self-belief and they soon almost took the lead when skipper John McCombe’s glancing header flashed just wide of the far post.

Both teams were feeling the effects of the hot August sun, but Aldershot revived with Gary Waddock’s substitutions and they again looked the more likely winners in the late stages, Scott Rendell forcing a good save from Mitchell.

Chester’s 82nd-minute winner was a strange affair. Rendell seemed to be fouled as he challenged for another superb cross from Taylor, but while he was protesting the ball moved swiftly to the other end and substitute Jordan Chappell’s chip bounced off the crossbar. Aldershot had ample time to clear their lines, but the ball found its way back to Chappell who this time played it across the goalmouth for the inrushing Kingsley James to slam high into the net.

The Shots could have saved themselves in injury time as an unmarked McClure headed another Taylor cross high over the bar. Second later, Chester were celebrating their first National League win of the season.