Bedford Town were downed by a late winner at Chester, losing 1-0 as National League North action returned on Saturday (10 October).
Kofi Moore’s 89th-minute strike was enough for the play-off chasing home side to steal all three points after a largely uneventful, windy affair in the north west.
After a successful week in the FA Cup, in which Bedford Town find themselves in the fourth qualifying round for the first time in 25 years, league action returned with a tricky trip to Chester.
Read: Bedford Town one game from history after Wingate and Finchley FA Cup replay win
In this fixture last season, Bedford Town ended a year-long unbeaten record for Chester with a stunning rearguard effort at the Deva Community Stadium, but they were unable to repeat the trick as they were undone by an 89th-minute winner on Saturday.
Chester, who began the day in the National League North play-off spots, had the better of a first half that ended goalless and saw few chances.
Billy Waters thought he should have had a penalty in the fourth minute, but the hosts’ appeals were waved away, before Sam Foley cross-cum-shot was easily dealt with by Walker in the Bedford goal.
Ruben Butt, son of former Manchester United midfielder Nicky, came closest for the home side as he saw a free kick bounce back off the post, while the Eagles’ best opportunity came shortly after the half hour mark.
Tarik Gidaree’s deep cross found Josh Castiglione whose effort beat Hewitson in the Chester goal, but not Jake Griffin who cleared the effort off the line.
Moore breaks Eagle hearts
The second half followed much the same pattern as the first and ended in the same fashion, as Gidaree hooked a Waters effort away from danger near his own goal line, before Bedford’s chances were damaged as Junior Gyamfi was stretchered off injured.
On in his place was George Moncur; a man who has already scored key goals for the Eagles this season.
Yet, neither side could find the key goal, hampered by the windy conditions and kept out by two sturdy defences, although Chester had the best of the final ten minutes.
That pressure told with a minute of normal time remaining, as Kofi Moore swivelled away from a pair of challenges, before creating space to curl an effort past the outstretched hand of Walker and into the net.
It was Moore’s first goal in the blue and white of Chester, and ensures they rise to fourth in the National League North table, while Bedford Town drop a place to 11th.
Attention turns back to cup action for the next seven days, as the Eagles host Biggleswade Town in a rearranged Bedfordshire Senior Cup first round fixture on Tuesday (13 October).
Attention will then turn to creating a piece of modern FA Cup history, as Bedford Town host Cray Wanderers of the Isthmian League next Saturday (17 October) in the hunt for a potential plum first round proper tie.
Not since 2001 have Bedford Town reached the first round proper of the FA Cup. They have an immense chance to do so next weekend, as The Eyrie hosts what will be a potentially historic occasion.
