Dan Mooney’s debut goal was enough to secure the three points for Chester as Moors returned home empty handed from The Deva Stadium.

Graeme Lee’s men suffered a blow before kick-off when Ben Beals picked up an injury in the warm-up, meaning the only change from Saturday’s 7-0 win saw Nathan McGinley come in at centre-back, while Callum Ross returned to the bench after illness.

The game began with both sides evenly matched. Rob Ramshaw saw his shot from the edge bobble wide of the far post before Connor Woods struck his shot high above the bar at the other end.

Moors continued to apply the early pressure as they drove forward with menace. Ramshaw found some good space in the box and would’ve been able to latch onto Reece Staunton’s inviting cross had it not been for some quick thinking from goalkeeper Jimmy Storer.

Both teams showed intent to drag themselves ahead, as the game became an even battle as the first half wore on.

Corey McKeown looked to have found himself baring down on goal, with a great chance of Moors going in front, only for the referee to pull the game back for a head injury at the other end of the pitch.

Glen Taylor looked to get closer to his inevitable 200 Moors goal milestone soon after, but his shot was blocked on the edge of the box and cleared by Chester’s backline

However, The Seals almost carved ahead after 30 minutes. A ball in from the right fell to the feet of Declan Weeks in the six-yard box. The midfielder turned and dispatched a strike on goal, only for Brad James to get down superbly to meet it with his right arm.

Chester continued to push men forward, winning a corner just two minutes later. The inswinger was met by James who punched clear, but only as far as the edge of the penalty area. The ball fell into the path of Jack Bainbridge, who hoofed a shot over the bar.

That was it for the first half. Chester produced a half chance late on, but it was never going to come of anything. The ball was lofted high into the air and dropped onto the head of Woods, who couldn’t get the right contact and headed well wide of the mark.

The home outfit entered the second half just as they exited the first, with Tom Peers coming forward this time to good effect. His break down the right was just about snuffed out by McGinley, who got across well to block his goalward shot.

James was called into action just minutes later, as Bainbridge’s shot was deflected goalward. The Moors number 1 did well to get across goal to divert the ball wide.

Moors looked to try and get a foothold back in the game, and a corner from Olly Dyson struck the post and bounced into the centre of the box, causing bedlam for the hosts as they struggled to scramble clear. Had Moors been a little quicker in reaction to that unorthodox set piece, it could’ve easily been 1-0.

Captain Taylor came close again just after the hour mark as his set up, freekick flew low and just wide of the near post.

Chester were not keen to let the game get away from them however, as they amped up their efforts to pull ahead. Harrison Burke saw his headed effort brilliantly tipped wide by James, who was quick across to his right to make a fine save.

Iwan Murray could’ve grabbed the game’s opening goal when he picked up the ball on halfway. He danced around Moors men, darting towards goal with intent, only to see his shot fly high over the bar and into the terrace behind the goal.

With just nine minutes of normal time remaining, Chester got their goal. Returning midfielder Mooney re-introduced himself to Seals fans with his debut goal, finishing comfortably into the back of Moors’ net. A shot from distance smashed off the post before coming out to Mooney’s feet. The fan favourite picked up the ball, took a touch inside his man, and fired home well past James, who was unable to pick himself up intime to get back across goal.

Moors tried hard to snatch an equaliser at the death, but Storer and his defence were quick to stub out any real threat to The Seals’ 1-0 advantage.

A tough defeat to take for Moors following such an emphatic performance against Rushall Olympic. Focus now turns to the weekend’s long distance away fixture at Brackley Town.

Full Time: Chester 1 Moors 0

Moors: James, Dyson, Ledger, McGinley, Staunton, Shrimpton, Dolan (Ross 71), Mondal (Hancox 74), Ramshaw, McKeown (Rutledge 85), Taylor.
Subs not used: Johnson, Rowe.

Booked: Shrimpton (24), Ramshaw (55), Ledger (66).

Chester: Storer, K Roberts, Burke, Rawilson, Woodthorpe, Weeks, Bainbridge, Murray, Woods (Mottley-Henry 75), Willoughby (Mooney 62), Peers.
Subs not used: Pollock, Daly, F Roberts.

Booked: Bainbridge (60), Weeks (83).

Referee: Melissa Burgin

Attendance: 1,769 (16 Moors)

Match Report: Noah Betts