In-form striker Daryl Clare maintained his sensational form with a third goal in two games as Chester's bid for promotion continued with a win over Stevenage.

Clare, a recent signing from Boston, was on target again to decide a tough match at Broadhall Way.

Mark Wright's men were expected to overwhelm their struggling hosts, although Boro came desperately close inside the first minute with a header from defender Robin Trott which came back off the woodwork.

Chester had created little in the first 45 minutes but on the stroke of half-time, Clare was not picked up on the edge of the box and he lashed the ball into the bottom corner of the net to give his side an ill-deserved lead.

The visitors tried to kill the game after the interval and Scott Guyett should have done better with a header from six yards which flew past the post.

But with 18 minutes to go, Chester were rescued by goalkeeper Wayne Brown who reacted instinctively to parry a goalbound header from on-loan QPR forward Richard Pacquette.

Stevenage: Westhead, Travis, Charlie MacDonald, Trott, Louis Riddle, Howell, Stirling, Fraser, Blackwood, Pacquette, Jackson. Subs: Wormull, Sigere, Wilson, Midson, Willis.

Chester: Wayne Brown, Brady, Bolland, Hatswell, Guyett, McIntyre, Carey, Carden, Davies, Clare, Sugden. Subs: Blackburn, Tate, Michael Brown, Ruffer, Cameron.

Referee: A Green (Hinckley)