Brackley completed the double over Chester with a hard fought win and a nail-biting finale with Saints reduced to ten men as The Blues pushed for a late equaliser.

While the visitors started well Brackley gradually came into the game and were deservedly ahead at the break through Shane Byrne’s 43rd minute penalty. Matt Lowe was pulled down in the penalty area and Byrne converted the spot-kick, finding the top corner emphatically.

Chester again started the second half brightly. Declan Weekes’ fierce shot was pushed away, Iwan Murray fired just over having worked the position well and Charlie Caton’s header was close from Murray’s deep cross. So when the equaliser came it was no surprise, Caton calmly sending Jonny Maxted the wrong way from the penalty spot to level the scores on 63 minutes.

The sides were level for just three minutes, substitute Connor Hall finding the clinical finish guiding the ball past Elyh Harrison from Byrne’s perfectly threaded pass.

Alfie Bates received a second yellow card leaving Gavin Cowan’s side to see out the final 20 minutes as Chester strained to find a second goal. Disciplined defending denied the visitors, Kurt Willoughby’s header going closest to securing a point for Calum McIntyre’s team. Brackley were also close to increasing the lead when Harrison saved well from Hall in added time after good work by Lowe.

The win sees Brackley and Chester swap places in a congested league table.

“It is really good to get the win,” Cowan said. “We were a bit slow to get to grips with the second half but we came through that and it was a bit backs to wall when Alfie gets sent off. Connor came on and had a massive impact with a really well taken goal. He is a big game player and can create those moments at any time.”

Brackley Town (3-5-2):  Maxted; Carline, Lyttle, Dean; Calder, Lowe, Bates, Byrne, Roberts; Okafor (O’Sullivan 75), Donawa (Hall 58).   Subs unused:  Worby, Abbey, Arlott-John.

Chester (4-1-3-2): Harrison; Hunter, Burke, Rawlinson, Woodthorpe; Roberts (Willoughby 77); Weeks, Bainbridge, Murray (Glendon 85); Caton, Peers (Mottley-Henry 72). Subs unused: Pollock, Hancox;

Referee: Kavan Hurn Assistants: Josh Brookland and Daniel Clenton 4th official: Karl Donaghey

Attendance:   870