FA Halifax Town 1 Chester 0: Former Fax boss Neil aspin set to return with Gatesehead

In front of the watching former manager, Jordan Burrow’s first goal in 10 games handed Town the lead on the verge of half-time.

Josh Macdonald latched on to Burrow’s nod down only for his cross to fizz through the box before Burrow then headed wide from close range after Kingsley James’s cross back into the danger zone.

John Rooney brought a good low save by Sam Johnson at his near post before the lively Macdonald pounced on hesitancy by Jon Hunt and crossed to the unmarked Sam Walker, who let the ball run under his feet.

Both sides were not backward in coming forward – although neither did so with too much finesse – with eight corners in the first 20 minutes; from the ninth, Craig Mahon was left worryingly unmarked before Johnson held his driven shot.

The first-half appeared to be meandering to an uneventful close before an overhead kick by James presented Burrow with a chance inside the six-yard box – he could hardly miss, and ended a goal drought that stretched back to the Dover win in late November.

Richard Peniket then had a glorious chance to put clear daylight between Town and Chester but his shot was saved by Jon Worsnop after James’s hooked pass sent him clear.

Another quick break, this time by substitute Connor Hughes, gave a chance to Burrow, but Worsnop reacted well to save his low shot across goal.

Johnson saved brilliantly from Rooney as Chester piled on the pressure with a flurry of late corners.

FC Halifax Town: Johnson, Brown, Bencherif (Hibbs 27), Macdonald (Hughes 63), Roberts, James, Wroe, Walker, McManus, Burrow, Peniket (Fairhurst 70). Subs not used: Porter, Miller

Chester: Worsnop, Higgins, Hunt, Sharps, George (Lloyd 14), Mahon (Richards 71), Henegan (Hughes 51), Shaw, Chappel, Hannah, Rooney. Subs not used: Thompson, Hobson

Referee: Michael Salisbury (Lancashire).