Rushden & Diamonds gained promotion to Division Three after winning the Nationwide Conference title with a narrow victory at Chester.

They celebrated their efforts in fine style by overcoming conceding an early goal at the Deva Stadium.

In a subdued match, Craig Gaunt looked like spoiling the Rushden party with a 58th-minute header to give City a surprise lead.

But it took Diamonds just two minutes to get back on level terms with Mark Peters flicking a header into the back of the net.

With just a minute of normal time remaining, Jon Brady lashed a 25-yard shot beyond Chester goalkeeper Wayne Brown to earn Rushden the victory.

The final whistle was greeted by a pitch invasion from celebrating Rushden fans while Chester supporters voiced their discontent at chairman Terry Smith after a disappointing season.

Chester: Brown, Moss, Doughty, Lancaster, Gaunt, Fisher, Kerr, Porter, Mark Beesley, Ruscoe, Woodyatt. Subs: Wright, Priestley, Whitehall, Berry, Haarhoff.

Rushden & D'monds: Turley, Mustafa, Underwood, Carey, Peters, Rodwell, Butterworth, Brady, Jackson, Darby, Burgess. Subs: Sigere, Gray, Mills, Wormull, Bossu.

Referee: G Kellett (Bradford)