York City 3-2 Chester

Brodie is now joint-top scorer in the Blue Square Premier

Richard Brodie hit a hat-trick as York retained their unbeaten home record this season against Chester City.

Brodie needed just 33 seconds to get on the scoresheet, firing a close-range shot past City keeper John Danby.

He doubled the Minstermen's lead with a penalty before netting a third from inside the area on 47 minutes.

An Anthony Barry shot and a Shaun Kelly header gave Chester hope but they were unable to prevent their three-game winning run coming to an end.

Brodie's treble took his total for the season to 17 goals in all competitions and 14 in the league, making him the Blue Square Premier's joint top scorer.

The striker was heavily involved in creating his second after he was awarded a penalty for a foul by City full-back Neil Ashton.

His third came just after the break when he latched onto Alex Lawless's through-ball before slotting a left-footed shot past Danby.

Chester came to life just before the hour mark when Barry fired a 30-yard shot past Michael Ingham.

They continued to threaten but despite Kelly's injury-time header, City were unable to grab a point as Martin Foyle's side moved to within a point of the play-off places.

York: Ingham, Purkiss, McGurk, Parslow, Meredith, Smith (Gall 70), Lawless, Barrett, Carruthers, Rankine (Mackin 79), Brodie (Ferrell 90).
Subs Not Used: Pacquette, Graham.

Goals: Brodie 1, 32 pen, 47.

Chester: Danby, Roberts, Ryan, Kelly, Ashton, Owen (Barry 28), Keltie, Meynell (Wilkinson 69), Beesley, Coulson, Chadwick (Blundell 65).
Subs Not Used: Murphy, Rule.

Goals: Barry 59, Kelly 90.

Att: 2,164

Ref: D Bond (England).