Jack Bainbridge scored a stunning 91st-minute strike to seal Chester’s 2–0 win over National League strugglers Morecambe and book their place in the FA Cup first round proper, writes Zephryn Dockree at the Deva Stadium.

The midfielder smashed home from the edge of the box deep into stoppage time, sparking wild celebrations among the 2,979 home fans as Chester claimed one of their most memorable cup wins in recent years.

Early second-half substitute Dylan Mottley-Henry had earlier broken the deadlock in the 79th minute, reacting quickest to a loose ball in the box to tap in at the back post and send Blues fans into a frenzy.

Despite dominating possession, Morecambe struggled to create clear cut chances, with Chester’s organised defence and tireless midfield limiting the visitors to half-opportunities throughout.

Goalkeeper George Murray-Jones commanded his area superbly, dealing confidently with several dangerous crosses as the Shrimps chased a route back into the game.

The National League North side had carried confidence into the replay after a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Morecambe on Saturday secured by Finley Shrimpton in the dying minutes.

Starting as they left off in the previous clash by hitting the bar midway through the first half with a long-range effort from Tom Peers who was later given Man of The Match.

Momentum briefly stalled after a flurry of yellow cards before the break, but Chester came out firing in the second half, forcing a goal-line clearance and a smart save within the opening 15 minutes.

Manager Calum McIntyre’s decision to replace Connor Woods with Mottley-Henry proved decisive, as the forward’s energy and movement injected fresh life into the attack.

The home crowd sensed a famous upset was on, and Bainbridge’s thunderbolt in stoppage time confirmed it a moment that will live long in Deva Stadium folklore.

Chester will now face Cambridge United away on November 1, as McIntyre’s side look to continue their FA Cup adventure and cause another upset against higher-league opposition.

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