Frustrated midfielder John Rooney realises Chester FC need to start picking up points - and fast.

The Blues dropped to 16th in the National League after losing 3-2 at Aldershot Town on Saturday and, with teams below them having games in hand, risk being dragged into a survival scrap.

Rooney, who lost his starting place last month, came off the bench to score at the weekend to remind manager Steve Burr what he can do but although unhappy with his reduced role, the 25-year-old would gladly swap goals for precious points.

"I think everyone knows the way I am and I just want to be out there playing," said Rooney, who reached a century of appearances for the club earlier in the season .

"It's been frustrating being on the bench but I've just got to prove myself when I come on. I've gone on against Aldershot and got myself a goal but it's not just me as an individual, it's about the team.

"I saw the chance to shoot on the edge of the box and I've struck it and it's gone in the top corner but I'd swap that all day for the three points.

"I don't know what's wrong at the moment and I don't think any of us can really put our finger on it but hopefully it starts to click soon because we really need to start putting points on the board and getting three points, which we have been doing much of as late."

Read: Tom Shaw reckons Blues have only themselves to blame

The result in Hampshire might well have been different had referee Brett Huxtable and his assistant concurred with the other 1,600 people in the stadium over a penalty claim seconds before half-time.

Jon Worsnop watches as Sean McGinty hits the crossbar in the first-half during the loss at Aldershot
Jon Worsnop watches as Sean McGinty hits the crossbar in the first-half during the loss at Aldershot

Home keeper Phil Smith brought down Craig Mahon as the winger was poised to give Chester the lead but instead of pointing to the spot and giving the Shots custodian a red card for preventing an obvious goalscoring opportunity, Mr Huxtable awarded a goal kick.

Rooney said: "You could see it blatantly from the bench that it was nothing else that it could have been but a penalty.

"I don't know what he's seen but it a blatant. I think the whole stadium knew it apart from the linesman and the referee."

Read: Referee's blunder hard to take but we're not doing basics, admits Steve Burr

Chester have a break from the league this weekend when Evo-Stik Southern Premier League side Hungerford Town visit in the second round of the FA Trophy.

With games against resurgent Southport, a long trek to Braintree Town, the return fixture with Aldershot and trips to struggling Torquay and Kidderminster Harriers to come, Rooney is hoping cup progress can lead to an improvement in the league.

He said: "Hungerford are going to come here and work hard but we've got to match them. It's about winning games. The FA Trophy is a good competition and one we want to do as well as we can.

"A win would give us a bit of confidence and that's what it's all about at the moment because winning games breeds confidence."