Chester le Street Town gained a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Thornaby. With several injuries and absentees, Chester le Street had Mark Peck playing his first game of the season and Lee Mole returned for his first appearance since November. Chester fell behind after 4 minutes when Thornaby were awarded a free kick on the left edge of the box and Kallum Hannah hit a powerful drive into the top corner of the net. After 16 minutes, some good play saw the ball played through to Mole but his shot from 25 yards went over the bar. Chester le Street drew level after 26 minutes  when a defender was penalised for a foul on Michael Hepplewhite and he stepped up to convert the penalty. They came close to taking the lead after 31 minutes when the ball was played deep into the Thornaby area for Mole to head back to Hepplewhite but his powerful shot crashed against the bar. Chester took the lead after 39 minutes when they were awarded a second penalty after Taylor Crainey was penalised for bringing down Hepplewhite. Hepplewhite’s first effort was blocked by the keeper but he fired in the rebound. Chester defended superbly in the second half to deny Thornaby much sight of the goal. After 88 minutes, Chris Stephenson made a good run down the right and hit a low pass across the face of the goal but no-one was able to get a touch on the ball. After 90 minutes, a ball into the Thornaby area found Joshua King who headed down to Daniel McGuire but his shot went just wide of the post. A great performance which brought a fully-deserved three points.

Jack Wilson, Christopher Stephenson, Connor Lyon, Craig Marron, Kevin Dixon, Mark Peck, Alexander Walker (Joshua King, 73 mins), Daniel McGuire, Michael Hepplewhite, Lee Mole, Danny Hepplewhite. Subs Not Used : Michael Graver, Danny Naylor, Thomas Iley, Andrew Clarkson

Attendance: 65

 Officials : Mr. Jonty Gill, Northallerton  Ms. Lynn Brown, Darlington & Mr. Fran Malton, Darlington