Steve Burr took heart from his side’s performance in the 2-1 defeat to Forest Green Rovers, believing it demonstrated how much progress Chester FC have made.
Forest Green became the first team in the 36 year history of the National League to start a season with eight successive victories, but had to work extremely hard for the three points.
LOOK: Action from Chester FC 1 Forest Green Rovers 2
Elliott Frear gave them the lead towards the end of a first-half in which Jon Worsnop conceded a penalty but made amends with an excellent save to prevent Jon Parkin converting the spot kick.
The Blues were the better side after the break and drew level in the 62nd minute when man-of-the-match Luke George netted his first goal for the club but Rovers threw on top scorer Aaron O’Connor and within two minutes his speed had unlocked the defence and he produced a clinical finish for the winning goal.
Although disappointed at failing to take anything from the game, Chester boss Burr was proud of his side’s efforts against the title favourites.
"You could see the quality they’ve got right throughout the team and I thought when we got the equaliser we were on the front foot," said Burr, who gave a debut to AFC Bournemouth striker Josh O’Hanlon.
"I’m always disappointed when we lose but I was pleased at how we played, particularly in the second-half. I thought we had a right go at them and it was just the difference in the finishing because they put their two chances away.
"Our lads kept going and I can’t fault them for that. I thought we had a right go and when I look back to 12 months ago and the difference in the gap between us and Forest Green, I think we’ve closed the gap considerably. I know we’ve lost, which is always disappointing, and I thought in the first-half we didn’t believe in ourselves enough and showed them too much respect but they are a very efficient side.
"I thought we passed it a lot better that the Guiseley game and when we got the equaliser we’d got them rattled but the second goal they scored killed the game off."
READ: Our verdict on Chester FC 1 Forest Green Rovers 2
The result saw Chester drop to 11th in the table while Forest Green moved seven points clear at the top and Burr expects Ady Pennock’s side to prove tough to catch, but said the performance strengthened his belief the Blues can challenge for the top five.
He said: "Forest Green have took a march on everybody with winning and winning so they’re getting away but you look at some of the results over the weeks and teams beating other teams, I think it’s quite open.
"We’re all down because we haven’t won but the progress that we’re making I’m very pleased with. The lads are down because they always expect more of themselves but I could see good signs and if we can maintain performances like that through the season then I’d like to think we won’t be too far away.
"I think what Ady has done with them this season is got the side together and got a good team spirit there, which comes with winning, and it’ll probably be theirs to throw away."
