A scruffy and subdued first half performance 'disappointed' manager Steve Burr as the Blues went down 2-1 at Grimsby Town on Saturday.
Chester were not at the races in the opening 45 minutes as the promotion-chasing Mariners found the going all too easy at Blundell Park.
Oumare Tounkara put the home side in front and Scott Neilson missed a penalty with the Blues lucky to go into the break only one behind.
Chester improved in the second half and had chances to draw level but the hosts grabbed a second with five minutes left through Andy Cook.
Sub James Caton pulled one back late on when his attempted cross sailed into the net but the Mariners were deserved winners.
Burr said: "I was disappointed with the first half because I thought we gave Grimsby a bit too much respect but we said a few things at half time and changed one or two things.
"I'm obviously disappointed to lose and it was always going to be a tough game but second half I thought we improved a lot and could have maybe got something out of the game."
Gareth Seddon started the game on the bench as he continues to struggle with a broken toe but came on for the last half hour and his introduction coincided with the Blues improvement.
Grimsby were well organised and hard to break down but did not look in the same class as Luton Town and Cambridge United and found themselves under reasonably heavy pressure as the game entered the final stages.
Burr said the improvement his players showed after the break was a positive.
He said: "I said to them at half time if we're going to lose a game a football then let's lose it by having a go, getting in amongst them and coming off at the end saying I've given my all and that's all I can give. I will put up with anything else as long as that happens.
"We saw that in the second half and we saw bits in the first half but I just felt we showed Grimsby too much respect.
"In my opinion, I don't think Grimsby as anywhere near as good a side as they were last season.
"I know they are up there and they've got a great chance of getting promoted but on what I've seen today - they've won the game and that was the main thing for them - they didn't look as good as they did last season."
Chester worked hard enough but the lack of quality in the side was all too evident with too many passes going astray and too many poor decisions.
Burr said: "I can't ask for anymore in terms of the effort and commitment the lads put in.
"I thought we started quite brightly and we were on the attack and I think it was there first attack and they scored.
"I was disappointed with the second goal and I thought we should have defended that a little bit better.
"The lads have had a go and that's all I can ask for. The commitment was there but will just fell short."
