CHESTER FC remain near the foot of the Skrill Premier after a disappointing 2-1 defeat at fellow promoted club FC Halifax Town on Saturday, writes Mark Dowling.
The Blues were perhaps unlucky not to collect anything from the match, having shaded much of the first half, but both the goals they conceded came from their main weakness, set pieces.
The game got off to the worst possible start for the visitors when Halifax captain Lee Gregory scrambled the ball in from the penalty area in the fourth minute from an Adam Smith corner.
For the second time in two games, the Blues found themselves having to fight back from an early goal down, and they stepped up the pressure with the help of a fast and furious Alex Titchiner.
The pacy winger had an effort in the Halifax area on seven minutes, only to find his shot blocked by the defence.
The Blues came close to equalising when Titchiner beat Scott McManus on 14 minutes and whipped in a superb cross to Gareth Seddon. But Seddon was unable to score against his former club on this occasion, as his 15-yard shot was tipped over by Town keeper Matt Glennon.
Shortly after Lewis Turner won a corner for Chester on 18 minutes, the visitors got the equaliser they richly deserved. In-form Danny Higginbotham headed a Craig Lindfield corner from the edge of the box and Seddon flicked the ball into the goal.
Chester were unlucky not to take the lead on 28 minutes when Titchiner crossed the ball to Lindfield, who was unlucky when both his efforts were palmed away by Glennon from close range.
Lewis Turner had the chance to take advantage of lazy Halifax defending when he was given plenty of time to strike from outside the penalty area, but his shot was poor and went well over the goal.
The hosts got back into the game as the first-half interval approached and Gregory was through on goal before Joe Heath caught up and made a crucial interception for John Danby to collect the ball.
Immediately after the half-time break, Titchiner had a 30-yard shot, the ball heading not far wide of the goal.
The game became increasingly scrappy and chances were few and far between.
But in an all-too-predictable fashion, the hosts regained the lead as Chester were once again unable to defend from a corner. Lee Gregory had fired an effort which Danby could only tip over on 63 minutes, and from the resultant Dan Gardner corner, Marc Roberts headed the ball in.
Too often this season Chester FC have put in poor second-half displays, and this was no exception. While Halifax offered little attacking play, they had done enough to scrape over the line.
The final whistle blew and the 454 Chester FC fans, who were in fine voice, were unlucky to leave with their side taking nothing from the game.
FC Halifax Town: Glennon, Toulson, McManus, Gardner (Carver 77), Ainge, Maynard (Marshall 45), Roberts, Smith, Pearson, Gregory, Wilson (McReady 45).
Subs: Senior, Lowe.
Goals: Gregory 4, Roberts 64.
Booked: Ainge. Toulson, Pearson,
Chester FC: Danby, Kay, Horan (Linwood 56), Higginbotham, Heath, Harrison, Lindfield (Mahon 73), L Turner, N Turner, Seddon (Mills 67), Titchiner.
Subs: Jarrett, Chippendale.
Goal: Seddon 18.
Booked: Heath, Horan, Linwood, Mahon, N Turner.
Referee: Peter Bankes.
Attendance: 1,805 (454 Chester).
