IT may have been veteran Gary Roberts who sprinted into the box to score Chester's second goal against FC United of Manchester on Saturday, but after the game joint boss Anthony Johnson was certain where the credit for the Blues' second half performance should really go.

"It was a brilliant performance, it was a man's performance," said Johnson, referring to 17-year-old substitute Lloyd Marsh-Hughes impact on the match which saw him set up Roberts' injury strike after being a constant nuisance to the United defence from the moment he came on at half time.

"His role in the goal was superb," continued Johnson. "For a 17-year-old kid to be edge of the box, see his name in lights and you're thinking 'smash it' and he goes and rolls his pal in, the captain, for a really good finish. It was a very good goal and a really professional performance from Lloyd and we're very pleased with him."

Marsh-Hughes, from Abergele, had come on for fellow youngster Cain Noble, who struggled at times in midfield, but Johnson was quick to point how much teenage talent was available at the club thanks to the flourishing youth academy and players like Iwan Murray and Matty Thomson who have become regulars in the first team squad.

"I think it is tough sometimes for Lloyd and Cain," said Johnson. "Because of how big and physical they are they look much older than they are. Me and Bernard (Morley, Chester's joint manager) stayed behind in the changing room with Cain at half time after we subbed him and explained to him that it's a man's game, sometimes you'll run on adrenaline and sometimes it won't go for you and it just won't work out.

"These are fantastic football players along with the other lads who have been with the first team from the Academy, but it's important that it has got to be right when we dip them in and dip them back out and we don't have these big lulls and that it doesn't affect their confidence."

Chester travel to close neighbours Winsford United tonight (Tuesday, January 8) for a Cheshire FA Senior Cup First Round tie. The game kicks off at 7.45pm at The Blues' St. Luke's Barton Stadium.