Chester-le-Street lost 2-0 at home to Spennymoor. Moors, playing their fourth game in a week, started strong and penetrated the Cestrians defence with Karl Richards and Craig Ruddy both effective down the flanks. A Richards corner which swung to the near post was hacked clear by Damian Maw after home keeper Josh Carmichael fumbled. The opening goal arrived when Gott's free kick was helped on by Gareth Waite for Leon Carling to fire a shot into the far corner of the Chester net. Moors settled, and broke quickly at every opportunity to stretch the home team with Anthony Peacock, Ruddy and Richards a thorn to Chester before top scorer Jamie Clarke rifled a shot on the turn from distance over Carmichaels goal. A rare shot from Chester's Wayne Gredziak had Niki Lawson scrambling across to push around the post, then Mark Scott headed clear the resulting flag kick. The lead was doubled when Richards broke clear but was hauled down in the area by Hassan and Gott stepped up to send Carmichael the wrong way from the spot. Gott's goal ended a run of three missed penalties by Spennymoor in the last three weeks. Moors continued to dominate in the second period and it looked only a matter of time before Moors made their superior count. Peacock saw a shot blocked from inside the area, while Clarke was also foiled after skipping past two challenges inside the area. Ruddy was also prominent down the right and his teasing run saw Gott shoot inches over the top. Richards was another to get in on the act when he dribbled in the area but his powerful shot was blocked on the line by a home defender. A delay to the game for treatment to substitute Steve Larkin following a clash of heads saw another sub, Chris Lawther, make a good run down the right but his cross was too deep for Butterworth and Peacock. Moors continued to finish the stronger side in the closing minutes but failed to add to their tally in a very professional performance.
Team: Josh Carmichael, Ibrahim Hassan, Robert Palmer, Michael Allan, Colin Wake (Alex White, 65 mins), Damian Maw, Josh Home-Jackson (Joe Hughes, 85 mins), Craig Price, Wayne Gredziak, Rob Draper (Nicholas Kane, 50 mins), Danny Petts. Subs Not Used : Sam Hodgson
Crowd: 125
Referee: Mr. W. Broadbent, Sunderland
Assistants: Mr. S. Cavanagh, Morpeth & Mr. P. Holleran, Ashington