Chester-le-Street TOWN JUNIORS are through to the fourth round of the FA Youth Challenge Cup after they overcame FA Premiership Academy side Derby County 2-1 at Pride Park Stadium on Tuesday evening.

The youth side of the Albany Northern League First Division Club had beaten five clubs including both Hartlepool United and Port Vale to earn the glamour tie against The Rams and will now head to either Huddersfield or West Ham United at the end of January.

The Midlands side started the brighter as Chester failed to get near the ball in the opening ten minutes before gradually gaining confidence and coming into the game.

After 20 minutes Chester midfielder Steven Richardson had an opportunity to open the scoring but was stretching when he connected and just put his shot over the bar. Richardson then pile drove an effort from 30 yards that just went over the top.

Scottish Youth International Kyle Macaulay, a regular for the Derby reserve side almost created an opening for Ben Wilkinson - son of former Sunderland boss Howard - on 35 minutes, but Chester keeper Liam Connell cleverly intercepted ahead of the advancing Wilkinson.

On 56 minutes the North-East side took the lead when Newcastle born striker Andy Bulford latched on to a flick on from Gary Bowne to drill a low effort beyond the reach of Liam Richardson in the home goal.

Bulford was substituted on 65 minutes and his replacement, Martin Urwin, scored Chester's clinching goal with his first touch of the game on 69 minutes. Urwin showed great anticipation on a ball played into the area from the left and he got in ahead of fellow striker Christopher Laws for a fine finish and to send the visiting supporters into raptures. The Derby County players were spurred into action and were the better side for the last 20 minutes as substitutes Lewin Nyatanga and Tom Kemp added to the presence of their team.

On 77 minutes, after twice been denied by outstanding saves by Liam Connell, the home side found away through after the Chester keeper tipped a goal bound effort frp, Wilkinson on to the inside of the post and as it ran along the goal line, central defender Dan Martin fired home.

Chester-le-Street Manager Andrew Muxworthy admitted that he was "speechless" at the final whistle. He said, "I simply said well done to the players after the game and let them enjoy the occasion."

Chester-le-Street Town: Connell, Stoker, R Draper (Capt), Houghton, Jones, Curry, Browne (Sub G Draper), Richardson, Laws, Bulford (Sub Urwin), Glazinski.

Attendance: 389