Chester went down 3-0 at Bishop Auckland. Bishops created the first opening after 14 minutes when Steve Salvin fired in a shot which brought a good save from Ian Aitken. Bishop Auckland took the lead on 17 minutes when the ball was crossed into the area. Ian Aitken made a good punched clearance but the ball fell to Adam Emson and he lifted it first-time back into the net. Bishops continued to press and after 26 minutes a cross from the right found Tyson Masters but his header brought a good save from Aitken who turned the ball around the post for a corner. Chester found it difficult to make any impression on the Bishops defence but created an opening after 30 minutes when a quick break down the right saw the ball switched cross field to Ben Johnson on the left. He cut into the box but his shot went straight at the keeper. Bishops nearly doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when they made a quick break. Harry Drummond hit the ball through to Wayne Gredziak but Aitken made another good save. Chester opened the second half more determined. After 53 minutes Rob Draper set Nathan Fisher through and although he turned inside a defender to get in a shot, it went just wide of the target. Bishops doubled their lead after 65 minutes when a long ball caught out the Chester defence and Tyson Master ran on to lift the ball over the advancing Aitken. Two minutes later, Chester were given the opportunity to get back into the gamer when Bishops keeper Peter Jeffries was penalised for pulling down Ben Johnson but Craig Price blasted his spot kick well over the bar. Bishops completed the scoring on 78 minutes when A cross came in from the right and Emson looped a header into the corner of the net. Not a very inspiring performance and Chester will have to improve in the coming weeks as they face a relegation battle.
Team: Ian Aitken, Luke Gilhespy, Ben Johnson, Scott Donaldson, Andy Armstrong, Ian Dixon, Nicholas Kane, Craig Price, Nathan Fisher, Rob Draper, Robbie Bird. Subs Not Used. Colin Wake, Robert Palmer, Kyle Bird, James Ellis, Damian Maw.
Crowd: 140
Referee: Mr. E.D. Martin, Hartlepool
Assistants: Mr. S. Bulmer, Sacriston & Mr. A.S. Childs, Northallerton