Nathan Brown was Chester’s hero with a fantastic late winner to edge this five-goal thriller against Bromley.

Already-relegated after a dismal campaign, the Blues restored some much-needed pride with a terrific performance to defeat the Ravens, with Brown grabbing a tremendous 89th minute goal as he danced his way past Bromley’s defence and slotted home past David Gregory.

Dominic Vose’s opener on the stroke of half-time had given Chester the lead, but Bromley hit back via Josh Rees, before Jordan Archer came off the bench to fire the Blues ahead once again.

Omar Bugiel levelled up with 10 minutes to go but Brown had the last laugh to send the crowd of 754 – the lowest in the league since Chester reformed in 2010 – home happy.

Marcus Bignot opted to keep the same starting XI who were beaten 2-0 by rivals Tranmere Rovers on Saturday, a result which confirmed their relegation into National League North.

In fairness, the Blues had performed well for the large periods at the weekend so the decision to retain the same side was justified.

What was abundantly clear was the long-suffering Blues faithful were voting with their feet for the second game in succession. Just 1,300 home fans – out of a crowd of 3,103 – had shown up for the Tranmere clash and there were gaps aplenty around the Deva with the attendance confirmed as being the club’s lowest for a league fixture since reforming back in 2010.

Bromley, who still have an FA Trophy to come and harboured faint hopes of a top seven finish to secure a play-off spot, began the brighter with Louis Dennis looking to capitalise on an early slip-up by makeshift full-back Myles Anderson.

On-loan Bournemouth defender Shaun Hobson has looked much better since being moved back to centre-half and the youngster excelled once again, producing a fine piece of skill to dismiss Brandon Hanlan before playing in Anderson with a delightful crossfield ball.

Gary Roberts collected the game’s first caution on 15 minutes for pulling down Dennis 25 yards out, the forward picking himself up to work the free-kick nicely with Rees but Ryan Astles was there to charge it down for a corner. Dennis was left frustrated by a quickly taken set-piece and was booked for his troubles.

Craig Mahon did superbly well to win a corner off Frankie Sutherland, Roberts’ delivery finding Mahon who volleyed goalwards but James Akintunde couldn’t tuck the ball home.

Dennis turned Astles and found Hanlan who raced through on goal, rounded Andy Firth – who had rushed out of goal erratically – but just as he looked certain to score, Tom Crawford produced a wonderful last-ditch block to keep the ball out.

This was developing into a decent contest despite the appallingly low crowd, with the Blues producing some of their best passages of play in recent weeks, Akintunde’s low cutback into the area finding Vose 18 yards out and his drilled effort was tipped clear by Ravens stopper David Gregory.

Neil Smith’s men were now on the back-foot with Vose and Crawford looking dangerous in midfield, as the next great chance fell to Harry White six yards out from Andy Halls’ excellent cross, but Gregory blocked the shot at point-blank range.

Roberts piled through some robust tackles to hand Vose a crossing opportunity but the ball fell to the wrong man in Mahon.

Dennis’ hit and hope sailed wide but just as the sides looked like going in level, Vose put Chester ahead.

Mahon strode forward down the left flank and cut the ball back for Vose 20 yards out and he unleashed a delightful curling effort into the bottom corner, giving Gregory no chance. It was the Blues first home league goal since February 17 when beating Eastleigh 3-1.

Dennis curled an effort wide from 20 yards as the second period got underway, Luke Wanadio subsequently replacing Dennis as Smith went in search of a leveller.

Firth gathered well from Dan Johnson’s cross before White couldn’t sort his feet out when played into the box by Vose.

The former Wrexham winger did well to track back after Jordan Gough – brought on for Anderson on 57 minutes – gave possession away on halfway but just as Vose reached George Porter he tripped the winger and was cautioned by referee Karl Evans, who had allowed play to continue but Frankie Sutherland blazed over.

Astles’ flicked header went wide but Bromley were having more possession and the goal that had been coming arrived on 65 minutes.

Roberts’ appeals for a foul were waved away and Rees collected the ball 12 yards out on the right-hand side of the area, unleashing a powerful drive into the far corner as Smith’s men got their leveller which their second-half dominance deserved.

Crawford went close twice within 60 seconds, seeing his low shot blocked for a corner before Gregory held his thumping header.

Omar Bugiel came on for Frankie Reymond for the visitors while Archer was thrown on by Bignot to replace White and the striker came up trumps with the goal his manager craved.

Akintunde looked to be fighting a losing cause when chasing down a loose ball but Gregory spilt it at his feet and the ball squirmed through to Archer on the edge of the six-yard box who blasted home infront of the Harry McNally Terrace.

It felt like Chester were on the verge of just a seventh league win this term but disaster struck on 80 minutes as Bugiel leapt highest from Porter’s whipped free-kick to equalise, Firth stranded by the pinpoint accuracy of the delivery.

However, there was one final twist in this thrilling tale as academy graduate Brown scored a wonderful solo goal to announce himself in the first-team. Collecting the ball in his own half, Brown surged forward 50 yards, dancing and twisting past several Bromley defenders before lifting the ball over Gregory and sending the Blues fans wild.

There was still time for Firth to pull off a dramatic double-save in stoppage time as the Blues clung on for three points.

Chester: Firth 7, Halls 7, Hobson 8, Astles 7, Anderson 6 (Gough 57), Roberts 6, Crawford 7, Mahon 6 (Brown 78), Vose 7, Akintunde 5, White 6 (Archer 72); Subs: Dawson, Cunninghan.

Bromley: Gregory 7, Rees 7, Holland 6, Woolfenden 6, Sutherland 5, Porter 6, Sterling 6, Johnson 5, Dennis 6 (Wanadio 54), Hanlan7, Reymond 7 (Bugiel 72); Subs: Dunne, Allen, Higgs.

Referee: Karl Evans - 7/10 – Kept control of things in good fashion although it wasn’t a difficult game to officiate.

Attendance: 754

Goals: Vose (45+1), Rees (65), Archer (77), Bugiel (80), Brown (89)