Dale the real deal

Carl Dale was the Cardiff hero as Ninian Park was turned almost into a war zone.

Busiest man on the park was referee Mark Halsey, who booked eight players and red-carded Chester centre-back Spencer Whelan six minutes before the end.

Dale struck the winner in the 34th minute.

A Scott Partridge cross from the left reached Jason Fowler, whose thunderous right-foot shot was blocked by Ronnie Sinclair, but bounced out to Dale who scored from close range.

Whelan's sending-off came at a bad time for Chester, who were building up a head of steam in their search for an equaliser.

He had already collected a yellow card for an over-vigorous tackle on Dale and completed the set when he dished out the same treatment to Dale's fellow striker Simon Haworth.

Chester had an early opportunity to take the lead through Andy Milner. He combined with Rod McDonald to carve through the Cardiff defence only to drive his final shot wide from 15 yards.

Chester then worked a neat free-kick through Ross Davidson but Chris Priest failed to hit the target.

Cardiff's stand-in goalkeeper Steve Williams kept Chester at bay with a fine save at Milner's feet following a great cross from Sam Aiston and that signalled the Cardiff surge.

Haworth, due to join Premiership Coventry at the end of the season, tested Chester goalkeeper Sinclair first with a low looping drive and then a strong header that Sinclair was happy to tip over the crossbar.

Haworth and the hard-working Gareth Stoker both had on-target efforts saved but Sinclair knew nothing of another Fowler thunderbolt that smashed into the angle and bounced to safety.

Whelan was the villain and the hero within minutes. First he chopped down Dale and was on hand seconds later to chest a Partridge shot off the Chester goal-line with Sinclair beaten.

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