Chester FC suffered a third home defeat of the season on Saturday as Woking ran out deserved 2-1 winners.

The Blued netted late on through Ross Hannah and hit the woodwork on two occasions, but the Cards prevailed thanks to a goal in either half from Dan Holman and John Goddard .

Watch: Assistant boss Jon McCarthy says Woking defeat 'hard to explain'

Chester had gone into the game confident of recording a sixth win at the Lookers Vauxhall Stadium but failed to match the determination of the visitors, who had been on a six-match losing streak.

The loss further evidenced Steve Burr's side frustrating lack of consistency and the Cards headed home with a precious three points, which eases the pressure on manager Garry Hill.

Read: Jim Green's verdict as the Blues suffer setback with loss to Cards

The Chronicle's Jim Green has picked out three points for Chester supporters to think about:

Results tell the tale

Football managers often stress the importance of beating the teams around them in order to achieve their target, be that promotion, play-offs or survival.

On the basis Chester's target was to improve on last season, results against fellow mid-table teams could be seen as pivotal.

Therefore the fact the Blues have registered two points out of a possible 24 from eight games with the teams ranked 10th to 20th is a damning statistic.

Steve Burr and Jon McCarthy give instructions during the loss to Woking
Steve Burr and Jon McCarthy give instructions during the loss to Woking

The record against clubs in the relegation places - four wins from four games - is faultless and a return of four wins, three draws and three defeats from 10 games with the sides ranked ninth and above is more than respectable.

Results versus the top sides prove the squad has ability, and the record against those at the bottom suggests there's no real danger of relegation.

But there's little doubt the two losses to Woking and defeats to Tranmere, Bromley, Barrow and Welling, along with draws against Guiseley and Boreham Wood, have undermined the season.

It's time to consider changes

The ingredients were then on Saturday for the Blues to go out and put down a real marker: a near full-strength squad, a clear week on the training ground and at home to opponents woefully short on form.

Cliché it might be but there are no easy games in the National League and the Blues had no divine right to win, even so there was an expectation from the fans, the players and the management team.

It wasn't only the result that was so disappointing, but the performance too with too many individuals failing to produce the goods.

Every senior player, George Thomson and Kane Richards might have a case for disagreeing, has had ample opportunities and maybe it's time to change things around with a switch of formation, the three-man midfield again struggled without Luke George, personnel or both.

Tom Shaw put this attempt wide in the loss to Woking
Tom Shaw put this attempt wide in the loss to Woking

Ian Sharps won't be involved due to suspension so, if fit, Luke George will probably be employed as an emergency centre-back with Michael Kay not in the picture at present.

Bringing in Ben Gordon at left-back would allow Johnny Hunt to move into midfield, Tom Shaw shifted wider to give Ryan Higgins more protection with Luke Woodland alongside John Rooney and Calum Dyson could partner Ross Hannah.

We're unlikely to see such a dramatic reshuffle but the nature of weekend's performances means some kind of response should be expected.

Ross Hannah getting his rewards

A glimmer of light on a grim afternoon was Ross Hannah taking his tally for the season to eight goals in 20 appearances.

He's scored in three of his last four games and, in a team that hasn't really come close to catching fire, the 29-year-old can be well pleased with his goal return.

Hannah has admitted himself that he's not best suited to playing as a lone striker but he's cracked on with it and got his rewards.

Ross Hannah's frustration is plain to see as the Blues lost out to Woking
Ross Hannah's frustration is plain to see as the Blues lost out to Woking

His movement, work-rate, positioning and poacher's instinct means he remains one of the most effective strikers at this level, but the thought remains he would be even more threatening as part of a two-man attack.

The injury to James Roberts led to a reshuffle against Woking which saw Hannah teamed with Calum Dyson against Woking and that's a pairing worth another look on Tuesday night.