Super-sub Lee McEvilly came of the bench to play a leading role in earning promotion-chasing Rochdale a 2-0 victory at Chester.

The striker helped set up Joe Thompson for the opener after 55 minutes and then grabbed a goal for himself 10 minutes later with a typical poacher's finish.

Chester had a couple of good chances late in the first half, first after 42 minutes when a Richie Partridge cross-cum-shot cannoned back off the crossbar and then a minute later Ryan Lowe was in the clear and shot wide with just the keeper to beat.

The deadlock was broken when McEvilly, with his first touch after coming on as a sub, helped play in Thompson, who made no mistake with a right-foot finish past John Danby from 10 yards.

The game was effectively finished as a contest after 65 minutes when McEvilly latched onto a loose ball to poke the ball in off the post.

There was even time for the striker to hit the crossbar with a side-footed effort a minute from time.