Chester reality becomes clear as Marine new dawn edges closer
Marine suffered a 2-1 defeat at Chester as the Blues secured a home tie in the playoffs.
Chester secured home advantage in their playoff eliminator with an important 2-1 win over Marine.
The Blues equalled their best-ever points tally in the division after goals from Harrison Burke and Iwan Murray.
But Fin Sinclair-Smith’s thumping volley sparked a nervy ending for the promotion-hopefuls.
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Calum McIntyre’s side flew out of the traps, coming close through Tom Peers and Kurt Willoughby.
Burke continued his sensational season, rising highest to nod home a brilliant effort after rising above James Butler.
There was a scare for the hosts after Andy Scarisbrick’s header rattled the crossbar shortly after.
But Chester continued their onslaught and Burke nearly turned provider after nodding down for Taelor O’Kane but the Fylde loanee couldn’t steer home.
Marine did start the second-half brighter but soon found themselves two down.
From their own free-kick on the edge of the box, Declan Weeks hoisted the ball down the pitch and a poor header from James Brown left Max Metcalfe in no man’s land, allowing Murray to lift home.
The midfielder scored his second goal in as many games against the Mariners, after they survived a scare following a Marine comeback in the reverse fixture.
And when Sinclair-Smith volleyed home from a deep Sam Fielding free-kick, McIntyre and those who travelled to Crosby that afternoon in December may have feared history would repeat itself.
Chris Doyle was introduced and with his first touch saw his effort arrow agonisingly wide as Marine pushed for an unlikely leveller in the dying embers.
Chester held on to ensure they secured a home tie in the playoff eliminator (set for Wednesday, April 30) and extend their winning run to three matches.
Here are the takeaways from Chester 2-1 Marine.