Gloom descends at Deva Stadium

Chester City 1-2 Ebbsfleet United

Blue Square Premier player of the month for January Magno Vieira scored twice as Ebbsfleet came from behind to beat Chester at the Deva Stadium.

Troubled City had only nine senior players available and the inexperienced side took a shock lead on 30 minutes as teenager Jack Rea gave hope to the small home crowd. Teenager Rea scored a cracking 18 yard volley which Ebbsfleet goalkeeper Lance Cronin could only parry into the corner of the net. It was the first goal of the young midfielder's professional career and the first Chester goal in eleven-and-a-half hours of football.

The home faithful's joy was short lived. It took just ten minutes before Magno Vieira, who had wasted two earlier opportunities, to draw 'The Fleet' level. A flowing passing move ended with Vieira firing home from close range.

And it got worse for City before half time as the Blue Square Premier Player of the Month for January justified his award with a well taken second. The Brazilian-born hitman was teed-up by strike-partner Moses Ashikodi before turning and beating Chester goalkeeper John Danby from the edge of the area.

Half-time brought some respite for Chester after only a poor finish from Alex Stavrinou prevented what would have been three away goals in five minutes.

Ebbsfleet, however, could not continue their total dominance in the second half. The Blues twice came close to equalising as thick fog descended on what had been a sun drenched ground.

Ryan Davidson fired just wide with his right foot before Peter Holmes' attempted clearance hit Lloyd Ellams and forced the under-worked Cronin to back-peddle frantically and stop the ball from sailing into the goal.

The game finished 2-1 with Ebbsfleet securing their third straight Blue Square Premier win.

Chester bookings: Rule

Ebbsfleet United bookings: Easton

Att: 460

Ref: R.Clark