CHESTER crashed out of this season's FA Cup after going down by the odd goal in seven to North East minnows Dunston UTS in a pulsating tie that had all the ingredients of a classic giant killing.

After going down to Liam Brooks' second minute opener, Chester recovered to lead 2-1 at half time but a disastrous second half saw them go down to ten men before Mark Fitzpatrick claimed a famous victory for the Gateshead-based outfit from the Northern League.

Chester got off to the worst possible start when, with just 97 seconds on the clock, beanpole striker Liam Brooks played a one two on the edge of the area before hitting a fine low shot into the left corner of the net to have Dunston dreaming of a giant killing.

From then on the pace did not let up as the Northern League side took the game to the visitors who looked shocked at the lower league side's direct play.

Brooks was a constant threat with Chester struggling to contain the tall forward but despite the unrelenting pressure the back four held firm as the away team began to gain a foothold in the game.

First Danny Livesey headed over from a corner before Chester’s best chance came after Gary Roberts’ cross field pass was brought down by Dan Mooney on the edge of the box only to drag just wide from 18 yards.

The travelling support could sense an equaliser and it was worth the wait when on 35 minutes, Craig Mahon swung over a deep cross from the left touchline which was met beautifully by a hanging Dean Smalley who headed back across keeper Karl Dryden.

With Dunston tiring as the half approached its conclusion, Chester pounced again with a goal of the highest quality from Mooney who ran on to Mahon's through ball down the left edge of the area before unleashing an unstoppable left shot high into the top left corner.

Footballing logic dictates that just before the break is the perfect time to score but no one told Dunston who came out for the second period in similar fashion to the first and soon found themselves level and facing ten men.

A chaotic passage of play began with Scott Burton bringing down Jack Elliott for a Dunston penalty which was slotted home by Mark Fitzpatrick before Danny Livesey received a red card for bringing down the scorer three minutes later.

With Chester reeling, Dunston took the lead when a corner was headed home from close range by Andrew Grant-Soulsby only for the visitors to hit back through Mooney who grabbed his second on the hour following a run and low shot from the right hand edge of the area.

For a brief moment it looked like normality had been restored but Dunston came again through Fitzpatrick who, with Chester claiming a foul on the dispossessed Matt Thompson, ran clear of the defence and beat Shenton.

With a classic cup tie showing no sign of letting up, Chester drove forward with Mooney being denied by a point blank save and Steve Howson wasting a glorious chance when he headed a corner over from 12 yards.

But despite four minutes of added time, Chester could not find the equaliser and departed the North East with dreams of a crack at league opposition over for another year.

hester down to 10 men. Livesey sent off for bringing down Fitrzpatrick last man.