Chester-le-Street earned a point from their 1-1 draw at Bedlington. It was their first draw of the season. Bedlington put Chester under some early pressure. After 9 minutes, a low cross from the right found David Southern at the far post but his shot was blocked by a combination of Ian Aitken and Robert Palmer. It need a great save from Aitken to prevent Steven Bowey from giving Bedlington the lead after 23 minutes. Bedlington nearly made the breakthrough on 26 minutes when Bowey received the ball on the edge of the area and slipped it inside to Southern but his firm shot clipped the top of the crossbar. After 33 minutes, a poor throw from keeper Aitken led to Bedlington regaining possession from which Bowey fired in a good shot which Aitken managed to tip around the post. Bedlington continued to press forwards and after 42 minutes, Jamie Poole cut in from the left to fire a shot which went just outside the far post. Two minutes later, Poole fired in another shot which had Aitken scrambling to turn the ball around the post for a corner. From this corner, Chester made a quick break with Kyle Bird setting Nathan Fisher free and he raced on to lift the ball over keeper Paul Newton and give Chester the lead at the interval. Chester continued to defend well in the second half and although Bedlington had more of the possession, their chances were limited. Chester also had their moments and after 73 minutes a good clearance sent Ben Johnson racing down the left. He played the ball inside to Fisher and it need a great save from Newton to prevent a second goal. Five minutes later, Fisher won possession on the left and hit a low cross to the far side but Robbie Bird fired his shot wide of the far post. Bedlington finally drew level after 79 minutes when Chester failed to clear the ball from the area and Bowey turned to fire home. Bedlington nearly claimed a winner after 82 minutes when Bowey saw his shot rebound back off a post and Aitken made a good save from Southern's follow-up. A good point from a battling performance although I'm sure that Bedlington would feel that their possession should have brought them all three points.
Team: Ian Aitken, Luke Gilhespy, Robert Palmer, Colin Wake, Andy Armstrong, Scott Donaldson, Nicholas Kane, Kyle Bird, Nathan Fisher, Robbie Bird, Ben Johnson (James Ellis, 89 mins). Subs Not Used : John Murray
Crowd: 89
Referee: Mr. G. Beswick, Newton Aycliffe
Assistants: Mr. M. Pearson, Newcastle & Mr. M. Salters, Wallsend