CHESTER CITY were desperately unlucky last night, when a 90th minute goal from Danny Crow consigned them to another defeat.

But the visitors deserved better after a battling performance that saw them dominate events for long periods of the game at the Abbey Stadium.

The Cambridge winner came after a Darryl Coakley free-kick was missed by Danby in the City goal and Crow nipped in to bundle the ball home from close range and break City’s hearts.

Chester controlled for long periods in the first half, with Anthony Barry bossing midfield, ably assisted by youngsters James Owen, who had an outstanding game, and Rhys Meynell.

After 12 minutes Ben Wilkinson saw a 20-yard volley saved by the hosts’ busy goalkeeper Danny Potter then made an excellent save to deny Owen.

City’s best chance of the period came after half an hour.

A sweeping move involving Meynell, Ellams and Owen saw the ball worked to Nick Chadwick, but the striker’s close range effort lacked pace and Potter saved.

Former Chester striker Chris Holroyd had the home side’s best chance of the period after 31 minutes, firing an 18-yard effort just wide.

City made a substitution at the break, bringing on Jack Rea for his senior debut, the 17-year-old replacing the disappointing Ben Wilkinson.

But although the fortuitous winner consigned Chester to their fourth consecutive defeat, they can take encouragement from an excellent performance that belied the lowly placing.

However, City face another battle tomorrow when the Conference management committee meet for an extraordinary meeting in Birmingham to decide the Deva Stadium club’s future membership of the League.

CHESTER: Danby, Roberts, Kelly, Ryan, Rule, Wilkinson (Rea 46), Barry, Owen, Meynell, Chadwick, Ellams. Subs: Murphy, Rawlinson, Freeman, Jones.