How fitting that captain George Horan should score the last league goal of the season as Chester defeated Worcester City in the final match to be played at their 108-year-old St George’s Lane ground. Chester completed their season as they had begun it at Oxford City with a 1-0 away victory to finish the season on 107 points, 16 ahead of second placed Guiseley. Horan scored the only goal of the game in the eighth minute heading home a Dave hankin cross, but it was the home side that created plenty of chances to perhaps earn a draw but some poor finishing from Mike Symons as well and some fine saves from John Danby secured the 34th victory of the championship season. Chester were reduced to ten men on the stroke of half-time as Matty McGinn was given a straight red card for a challenge on Tom Thorley. Both sides his the post in the second period with Iain Howard almost capping a final appearance in a Chester shirt with a goal as his shot glanced off the woodwork following a flowing move involving debutant Tom Peers, Tony Gray and Marc Williams. • Final league table | Match highlights Picture � Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

Chester were made to pay for a series of missed chances as they fought out a 1-1 draw at FC Halifax Town last night. Manager Neil Young only had 13 senior players to pick from with youth players Tom Peers and Sean Miller starting on the bench.

The Blues squad were held up in traffic prior to the match which as a result kicked-off 15 minutes late. When it did, it was the visitors who started well taking a sixth minute lead through Marc Williams (pictured) who met a Nathan Jarman cross to prod the ball past ‘keeper Matt Glennon.

Antoni Sarcevic saw a goal bound effort cleared off the line before the midfielder failed to convert a close range effort following good play by Danny Williams. Seven minutes before the break the Shaymen equalised as Alex Johnson beat John Danby to an inswinging free-kick to head the hosts level.

Chester born captain George Horan received the Football Conference North championship trophy from Football Conference President Bill King following Saturday’s match against Solihull Moors. A surprise home defeat, in front of a crowd of 3,414, couldn’t dampen the spirits as the skipper lifted an unprecedented third successive championship trophy in as many years.

Manager Neil Young was only to keen to share the success with the supporters of the club. He told the Chester Leader: “I felt it was important that we gave a little bit back and it was good to be able to meet the fans after Saturday’s game.”

“The fans have come out and supported us throughout the season both home and away in these difficult economic times so I feel it is important that we give a little bit back. Fair play to all our supporters who turned up on Saturday because they certainly made themselves heard.”



• Players with the trophy | Match pictures | Other pictures from the day

• More pictures | Video highlights | The last time we won the cup

Chester suffered only their second league defeat of the season when they were beaten 2-1 at second placed Guiseley on Saturday. It was their first league reverse after 30 matches. Manager Neil Young was unhappy about the way his side conceded two goals through mistakes, both scored by Josh Wilson, though Chester were also guilty of missed chances at the other end. Young told the Chester Chronicle: “To lose in the way we did was disappointing. We’ve had a fantastic run but we’ve come here, having won the league and knowing that they would want to prove a point after we demolished them at home, and given away two goals through mistakes. “We were punished for our mistakes but at the other end of the pitch, when we got in and made some good opportunities, we didn’t capitalise on them.” Guiseley gave the Blues a guard of honour before the match and took the lead through a free kick in the seventh minute as Wilson punished a foul by Matty McGinn to curl the ball past John Danby. Chester equalised on the stroke of half-time as Tony Gray glanced a corner home. Antoni Sarcevic missed a great oppoutunity to give the Blues the lead on 66 minutes before Wilson scored his second goal, shorltly after, chipping Danby who had come to out narrow the angle on the striker. Captain George Horan picked up an achilles injury and was replaced at half-time. • League table after this match Picture � Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

Captain George Horan is hoping to be fit for Wednesday’s Cheshire Senior Cup Final against Stalybridge Celtic at Witton Albion’s ground Wincham Park. Horan told the Chester Leader: “I’ve had a little bit of a strain on my Achilles, but it is nothing serious and I’m sure I’ll be okay for Wednesday.”

Manager Neil Young was not quite so optimistic though on the skipper leading out the side at Witton saying: “I’m not sure if George will be able to play on Wednesday because it’s a dangerous injury to have because if it goes then it’s possibly a case of his career being over. It’s important that we make sure that George is fully fit before he comes back.”

Goals from Matty McGinn and Dom Collins gave Chester a 2-0 home win over Cheshire rivals Altrincham to bring a maximum six points from Easter. The Robins arrived at Chester with a eight match unbeaten run and showed their quality in the second half.

McGinn opened the scoring midway through the first half after a one-two with man of the moment Tony Gray on the edge of the box before unleashing an unstoppable shot past Stuart Coburn in the visitors’ goal. Sean Densmore had a great chance to equalise but sliced wide at the other end. Nathan Jarman just failed to meet a through ball to set up a second after the break before teh Robins created, but failed to convert, several chances of their own.