Steve Burr feels his Chester FC side had a case for deserving more than a point after the goalless draw with Southport.
Both teams had chances in a tight game at the Lookers Vauxhall Stadium but the clearest fell to the hosts with John Rooney, Jordan Chapell and Ross Hannah spurning good scoring opportunities.
Southport displayed the confidence you'd expect from a side unbeaten in seven league games with Louis Almond and Mike Phenix testing Jon Worsnop.
Chester's performance was an improvement on recent weeks and on balance the Blues perhaps shaded things without doing quite enough to claim what would have been a welcome win.
Read: Jim Green's verdict on the goalless draw with the Sandgrounders
Burr said: "It was probably as good a 0-0 as you will see. Both sides were at it and trying to win the game.
"I thought second-half in particular we were quite strong but the chances that did come our way we just couldn't finish them.
"You can see with Southport there's a lot of confidence in the camp with the results they've been having but that was a bit more like, although we haven't won the game, how I want us to play so that was pleasing.
"There were some really good performances albeit we didn't get the goal I thought we deserved."
Although the Blues have still to win a league game in 2016, successive cup victories over Hungerford Town and Hyde United have given the squad a boost and Burr conceded it was important not to lose that momentum with a defeat.
"I think with the two games we've had in the FA Trophy and the Cheshire Senior Cup, winning matches puts confidence into you and you can see that with the Southport lads," said Burr.
"It was important that we didn't lose the game because the way things have been going I was thinking in the last five minutes were they going to get something or breakaway and score but I was a lot more pleased with the overall performance albeit that we haven't won.
"I felt Jordan could have had a couple. There was on the first-half where it came across and then the one in the second where as a striker or winger you just want them to go with everything and get a touch on it and that's all it needed.
"And then the one that came back to Ross, he's been knocking them in with his eyes shut and he's obviously disappointed not to get that goal."
Recap: Look back at how the game unfolded with The Chronicle's live blog
Chester gave a league debut to Ryan Astles and once his pre-match nerves had passed, the big defender performed well having come into the side for club captain Ian Sharps while Luke George, wearing the armband against his former club, stood out in midfield.
Burr said: "Ryan was really nervous before the game. I thought he had a real good debut in the Cheshire Senior Cup on Tuesday hence the fact we put him in.
"Ian's been struggling a little bit with his form and Ryan's a young lad so as a back four we were very young but he just goes about his business. He's been superb since he's been here with the way he trains and he's got himself into the team and I think there's a real bright future ahead for him.
"Luke's in there to break things up for us and I thought he did very well. A lot of them did well and better than they have been doing but we need to keep pushing on and try to get three points next week."
