Match Report: Bradford (PA) 3 - 3 Chester FC

Chester were left with just a point at the end of a six goal thriller tonight, as Bradford battled back twice to secure a point at the Horsfall Stadium.

The Blues had raced into a two goal half time lead through Danny Elliott and John Johnston, before Luca Havern and Lewis Knight levelled it up by the hour mark.

Jamie Morgan thought he had won it with an incredible strike on 89 minutes, but a stoppage time own goal meant the spoils were shared.

Bradford (PA) had the first chance in the pouring rain inside five minutes. Knight burst into the box from the left and was only denied by a quick, smothering stop from Louis Gray. Brad Dockerty’s effort on the rebound was deflected behind by Simon Grand.

After a quiet opening quarter of an hour, Chester had their first attempt through Elliott. He let Jamie Morgan’s throw in run across him before shooting left footed – Dan Atkinson held.

But moments later, Elliott got his goal. A super run down the right by Morgan saw him tripped in the area. The Blues forward would take the kick and saw it saved by Atkinson, but was quickest to the rebound to score.

Knight had another glorious chance on 20 minutes after good work by Jake Hibbs, but dragged the effort wide – before Declan Weeks’ low drive from range was pushed behind bu the BPA ‘keeper.

Bern and Jonno’s men had their second goal a few minutes before the interval. A free-flowing move started it – as Anthony Dudley slid through George Glendon. The skipper was denied by Atkinson, before Johnston was on hand to brilliantly scoop the rebound into the far corner from just inside the box.

Nevertheless, a fightback from the hosts saw the game level by the hour mark.

First a corner was flicked on from the left and turned home at the back post by BPA skipper Havern.

Then it was level. A fortunate deflection kept the ball in on the left, and Knight darted beyond a few challenges before his shot eventually bounced over the line.

Mark Bower’s side had the wind in their sails, and almost went in front from a scramble following a dangerous corner – before Nicky Clee fired an effort against the side netting.

Chester tried to muster a response, and nearly scored a fortunate goal when Josh Askew’s deflected cross swirled on to the crossbar – before Weeks fired the half volley rebound just over the bar.

Moments later, Avenue sub Luke Rawson was presented with a chance unmarked on the edge of the box following a counter – Gray making the save with his legs.

The game was stretched and wide open late on. At one end Lloyd Marsh-Hughes blasted over for the Blues – and at the other end Oli Johnson broke forward and fired a shot against the side netting.

Then Morgan thought he had won the game late on in style. An incredible chest and volley from the full back saw the ball fly into the top corner and leave Atkinson glued to the spot.

But the home side battled back and scrapped home another equaliser in stoppage time as Clee’s low ball into the box was turned home in a scramble – appearing to come off a Chester player last.

CHESTER: Gray, Morgan, Roberts, Grand, Askew, Johnston (Waring 69), Weeks, Glendon, Bauress (Goodwin 85), Dudley, Elliott (Marsh-Hughes 85).

SUBS NOT USED: Clark, Burke.

SCORERS: Knight 61, Havern 57, Own Goal 90+2; Elliott 19, Johnston 42, Morgan 89.