Signing off
Thanks for joining us this afternoon. Not the worst of starts to 2016 but it could have been better. It does, though, give the Blues something on which to build and will hopefully mark the start of a strong finish to the season.
See you next time!
Around the National League
Blues drop to 15th after Southport pick up SIXTH win in a row, beating Wrexham 3-2.
Chester 1-1 Altrincham
Dover 0-0 Welling
Halifax 2-2 Lincoln City
Gateshead 1-1 Barrow
Grimsby 1-1 Guiseley
Southport 3-2 Wrexham
Tranmere 0-1 Macclesfield
Woking 2-1 Aldershot
FT Chester FC 1 Altrincham 1
That’s that. A point to start 2016 but it should have been more.
Nervous moments
Double save! Worsnop redeems himself as he saves from Rankine and then Bowerman.
Worsnop saves
There’s life left in this game as Alty threaten through Rankine, whose header is saved by Worsnop.
Post?
It looks like Hannah has hit the post. Hard to tell from press bench but Sharps headed a corner downwards and Hannah tried to divert it in from the back post.
Was that the chance?
Shaw feeds Hobson but he takes a fraction too long and his shot is blocked.
Closing stages
Anyone’s game this with 10 minutes to go. You feel the Robins will be happy with a point but that’s not really good enough for the Blues.
Missed opportunity
Chester should be ahead as Johnny Hunt whips in a superb free kick, but it somehow evades both Ben Heneghan and Craig Hobson. Still 1-1.
On for his Blues debut
Steven Hewitt comes on for Luke George
Double change
Double change for the Blues as new signing Steven Hewitt and Craig Hobson come on. Luke George and Danny Hattersley off.
The substitute is substituted
Third and final change for the Robins as substitute Nicky Clee is carried off. Sam Heathcote comes on.
Robins now on top
Ian Sharps with an important block to turn Damian Reeves’ shot over the bar. Blues have work to do again.
Undeserved
Michael Rankine beats Jon Worsnop to Jordan Sinnott’s hopeful cross and nods into the empty net. A terrible goal to concede and one the visitors can’t claim to deserve but of course they’ll take it.
Over the bar
A chance for the Blues as Lloyd’s back-heel sets up Shaw but he fires well over the crossbar from 15 yards.
First half action
Here’s the moment Ross Hannah fired the Blues into the lead.
Visitors threaten
Big chance for Alty as Nicky Clee skins Ryan Higgins and finds James Lawrie, whose shot hits the clock above the South Stand.
Blues pressing
And another chance for the Blues as Havern heads Hattersley’s cross behind with Lloyd lurking.
Un-Shaw
Early chance for the Blues as Tom Shaw fires over from close range as he did in the first-half. Might feel he should have done better.
Second-half begins
Altrincham restart the game. The Blues are leading 1-0 thanks to Ross Hannah.
Sad news
Awful news coming out of Germany regarding former Wigan player Steve Gohouri, signed for the Latics by former Chester City player Roberto Martinez.
Alty substitution
The teams are back on the pitch and the Robins have made a change at the break with Nicky Clee coming on for Josh O’Keefe.
Half-time verdict
Chester took a while to get going but from 15 minutes onwards there’s really only been one team in this contest. Ross Hannah took his goal extremely well and his movement is causing the visitors plenty of problems. Danny Hattersley is again doing well alongside him but perhaps the player to catch the eye most has been Ryan Lloyd in midfield. The Blues will feel that 1-0 doesn’t really reflect how the game has gone, although Alty can point to Michael Rankine hitting the post and Damien Reeves fluffing his line at the end of the half.
HT Chester FC 1 Altrincham 0
That’s the end of an entertaining 45 minutes. Ross Hannah’s goal has the Blues ahead but Steve Burr might feel it should be more.
