AFC Telford 0 Chester 2 - Report and pictures

Two first-half goals from Ross Hannah were enough to eliminate Rob Smith's National League North Bucks.

The home side's aspirations are far more focused on next week's league clash with drop zone rivals Lowestoft Town.

Chester, of the division above but without a win in five, were not overly happy about the tie going ahead.

There was plenty of standing water on the pitch and the ball stopping between passes, the Bucks started fairly well.

AFC Telford: Montgomery; Dawson, Brownhill, Slade (Deaman 41), Tilt; Wynter, Rea, Clancy, Austin (Reid 76); Rowe, Hassan.

Subs not used: Campion, Wilkinson, Gorman.

Chester: Worsnop, Higgins, Hunt, Sharps, Heneghan, Hannah, Shaw, George (Rooney 43), Hattersley (Hobson 86), Lloyd, Chapell.

Subs not used: Forth, Whitmore.

Referee: John Busby

The nippy Sam Austin cut his pass back across the box for Ryan Rowe, whose shot stung a defender's midriff. Then the hosts had the best opening of the first 10 minutes.

Right-back Lucas Dawson curling a 30 yard free-kick narrowly wide of Jon Worsnop's post, with the Chester shot-stopper scrambling.

But the visitors grew in stature and with 11 minutes on the clock Sean Clancy came to Telford's rescue by clearing a floated Jordan Chapell from the Bucks' line.

Smith's men simply could not clear their lines, however, and Tom Shaw pinged a 20 yard drive that was well kept out by goalkeeper James Montgomery.

Chester were first to the rebound and Ross Hannah tucked it away confidently.

Austin was Telford's brightest spark going forward and he burst into the Chester final third, before a stinging left footed drive caused Worsnop to beat it away.

Curtis Tilt stretched but was unable to connect with the inswinger, before Callum Hassan fluffed his attempt at the spectacular.

As the pace of the game improved, Ryan Higgins burst down the right side before feeding inside to Danny Hattersley.

He floated an effort towards Montgomery and the goalkeeper could only fumble in difficult conditions, with it fortunately dropping only for a corner.

Poor marking from Tilt saw Ian Sharps head over from the resulting corner when well-placed.

Clancy infectious hard-work saw him earn some space and blast over from the edge of the penalty area.

The ball then broke well for the returning midfielder, but he could only scuff an effort on his weaker right foot.

A potential game-changing moment arrived on the half hour mark as Chester centre-half Luke George, who had not long been deservedly booked, went straight through Jack Rea from behind.

With the whole of the New Bucks Head anticipating a second yellow, official John Busby somehow let the defender off with a final warning.

New-boy Jordan Wynter was getting forward at every attempt and almost connected with a Dawson free-kick.

But poor decision making cost the Bucks 10 minutes before the break, as Tilt misjudged a header and Liam Slade went to ground far too easily.

It allowed Ryan Lloyd to slide in the in-form Hannah, who swept a marvellous finish into Montgomery's top corner.

Chester boss Steve Burr then played his hand before bringing George off, to the displease of the home crowd.

Hassan had an early sighter in the second period but after receiving from Rea's break, cut inside and bent well wide with his left foot.

The second period struggled to take off with the visitors more than content with their two-goal cushion. Chester sub Rooney bent a free-kick wide of the near post on 55 minutes.

Out of nowhere, Smith's men were presented with their best opening of the afternoon.

Higgins slipped on the ball and Rowe was bearing down on the Chester shot-stopper, his left-footed finish dragged narrowly wide of the post via Worsnop's fingertip.

It sparked a period of live from the Bucks, Brownhill and Clancy both linked well down the left side and the ball was squared to Hassan, who had plenty of time to turn but his shot was blocked on the six yard line.

It was Chester's turn to not clear their lines after Rowe looped a lovely dink over their back-line.

Hassan seemed in acres of space and set to apply a simple finish but could not adjust his considerable frame.

Just moments later, the former Kidderminster Harriers forward Hassan was slipped in again.

He bore down on Worsnop, but good defensive recovery saw his finish squirm into the goalkeeper's grasp.

A poor ball from Rea saw Chester on the break and Hattersley was played in, but lacked the positive end product of the visitor's first-half.

Wynter passed up an opportunity to end his Bucks debut in style after been well played in by Rowe, who had enjoyed a good second half. Chester keeper Worsnop made a strong save.