Peterborough v Chester

Peterborough’s slim play-off hopes were ended as they were held to a draw at Chester City.
The home side took the lead on 13 minutes after a defensive howler by Adam Newton. His attempted back header to the keeper went straight to Simon Yeo who cleverly lobbed the ball over the stranded Mark Tyler.

Three minutes later Yeo had another great opportunity when played in by Paul Rutherford, but he was unlucky as his lob over the keeper came back off the post.

Newton tried to make amends for his earlier mistake with a snap-shot from just outside the box which flew inches past the post.

Posh had clearly had a good talking to at half-time and came out in the second period with more attacking intent.George Boyd tried his luck from distance but was denied by John Danby. Substitute Richard Butcher also had a great opportunity when he latched onto Peter Gain’s left-wing cross, but he shot well wide from 10 yards.

On 55 minutes Shane Blackett missed a complete sitter for the visitors as the ball came to him only three yards out, but the Chester keeper somehow managed to block his effort with his legs when it looked like a certain goal.

Another chance went begging on the hour mark as Craig Mackail-Smith saw his shot superbly saved by Danby and Butcher blazed the rebound over the bar. Boyd then went close with a chip which just cleared the bar 20 minutes from time.

In a rare chance for the home side, Jamie Hand found the side netting from a free-kick opportunity.

Peterborough finally got the goal their pressure deserved in the 71st minute when a cross from the left by Mackail-Smith was put into his own net by Dave Artell as he attempted to clear the ball.

The hosts withstood some late pressure as the visitors looked for a winner, but they could have taken all three points late on as Yeo’s header went agonisingly wide.

To compound the visitor’s misery, manager Darren Ferguson was dismissed from the dug-out just before the end.