Chester FC remain 5 points clear at the top of the Evo-Stik First Division North after a hard fought 1-0 victory over struggling Mossley at Seel Park thanks to a goal from Blues captain, George Horan.

Neil Young had opted for an unchanged line up following the 2-2 midweek draw against Curzon Ashton, but that was challenged after just 19 minutes when midfielder Iain Howard was adjudged by the referee Ken Haycock to have made a two footed tackle on Lilywhites’ midfielder Matty Kay, and was promptly shown the red card by the official.

So, Chester were up against it, but with Mossley’s recent record of 8 defeats in the last 9 games, Chester still felt they could take this game to their opponents, and were unlucky not to get themselves in front as Chester dominated possession before the break and had chances through talisman Michael Wilde and captain George Horan, who both saw headed efforts go above the bar.

New signing Michael Powell had a golden chance to put Chester in front just before the break but failed to lob the advancing Peter Collinge in the Mossley goal.

It wasn’t long though before Powell was in the thick of the action again, this time five minutes after the half time interval, and his attempted shot on goal from a Michael Aspin free kick was blocked by Collinge inside the six yard box, but deflected straight into the path of Horan, who charged in and smashed the ball home to give ten man Chester a priceless lead.

There were chances for the Blues to increase their lead through Bradley Barnes – who had replaced Michael Wilde who sustained an impact injury twenty minutes from time, but Barnes couldn’t finish the game off.

Chester were given a late fright though when Aspin was in the right place to clear off the line to prevent what would have been a undeserved Mossley equalizer, and the Blues held firm and collected a valuable three points in the quest for the championship.

Mossley: Collinge, Weston, G Kay, Watson, Warner (Hall 81), Rowney, McGonigle (Coo 70), M Kay, Oates (Rick 63), Fish, Dennis. Subs: Flint, Constantine

Booked: McGonigle, Rowney

Chester: Judge, Aspin, Horan, Ruffer, Stones, Booth, Powell, A Williams (Beck 90), Howard, Wilde (Barnes 69), Simm (Mackreth 88). Subs: Taylor, Wilson

Sent-off: Howard 19

Goal: Horan 53

Referee: Ken Haycock (W Yorkshire)

Attendance: 873

Chester FC Man of the Match – Michael Aspin