SIMON Davies spared his Chester City players a post-match rollicking despite watching them fall to their third defeat in four games.

Saturday’s 1-0 away loss to Wycombe Wanderers saw the Blues slide back to within two points of the League Two relegation zone – placing them in genuine danger with only three fixtures remaining.

Davies, however, refused to come down too hard on the team.

The City boss said: “I told the players that I wish I could have released some of my frustration with a so-called good telling off to vent my frustration, but I’d be lying because I know the players did ever so well.

“There was nothing in the game. We had a couple of chances each, and yet we came away with nothing.

“At this stage of the season with other clubs playing and gaining a point or two, the points side is worrying, but the performance side of our game isn’t so much.”

Davies added: “I’ve spoken to a few of our more experienced players who admitted they’d rather play terrible right now and get the points.

“At the moment I feel we’re playing really well and not getting anything, but were just hoping what goes around will come around.”

Wycombe striker Scott McGleish netted the winning goal – his 26th of the season – with 12 minutes remaining on a day when Chester passed up two gilt-edged chances to score.

Paul McManus squandered the first early in the second half, before fellow teenager Kevin Roberts was guilty of a more glaring miss four minutes from time.

Davies said: “Wycombe have had one or two chances and scored one because they have someone who has scored 26 goals in the league, and we had a chance from two yards with just the keeper to beat. But it’s harsh for me to have a pop at Kevin Roberts because he got himself in that position.”

Davies watched the game from the stands as he has been hit with a two-game touchline ban following a youth team game earlier this year.