SAMNIPS IN LATE TO SINK GULLS

THERE might have been an element of fortune in their winning goal, but Chester FC made themselves mathematically safe against ten-man Torquay, who drop back into the relegation zone.

The Gulls – at a numerical disadvantage after Myles Anderson was dismissed late in the first half for a challenge on David Alabi – were dealt another blow late on as skipper Sam Hughes struck for Chester with a deflected strike to secure their third successive away win, to the delight of manager Jon McCarthy.

“The result today was important for us as much as it was for Torquay, because if they had won they would be within three points of us and would be well on their way to safety,” said McCarthy.

“I think it puts us safe and out of danger, so that’s why we are delighted.”

His opposite number Kevin Nicholson remained defiant in defeat, despite seeing his side make a return to the bottom four.

“In terms of attitude and application, I’m very proud of them and they didn’t get what they deserved,” said Nicholson. “In the first half, we weren’t quite at it and dropped off a bit, but in the second half, with ten men, I thought we were absolutely outstanding.”

The Gulls threatened an opener on 23 minutes when Anderson narrowly failed to connect fully with a Luke Young corner. And two minutes before half-time, United were reduced to ten men when Anderson was awarded a straight red by referee Sam Allison for a foul on Alabi.

However, the Gulls came close to drawing first blood in the 65th minute when Ruairi Keating had an effort palmed away by Chester keeper Alex Lynch.

And the visitors made their extra man count on 80 minutes when Hughes scored with an effort that deflected off Gulls defender Sean McGinty and flew past Brendan Moore to seal the points.