Chester FC will be kicking themselves after giving up a winning position to draw 1-1 with bogey team Altrincham.

Ross Hannah's 16th goal of the season put them ahead on 20 minutes but the Blues should have had more than that to show for an encouraging first-half performance.

Chester wasted further chances after the break and were punished on the hour when Michael Rankine beat Jon Worsnop to head home the equaliser.

Both sides went close to finding a winner late on but the spoils were shared on a frustrating afternoon for the home fans.

Altrincham came close to taking the lead inside five minutes when Rankine's low drive beat Worsnop but rebounded off the foot of the post. Chester responded with Tom Shaw scooping over when well placed and Ryan Lloyd breaking from midfield before passing when he might have been better advised to shoot.

Danny Hattersely was denied a first goal for the club when Scott Leather cleared his header off the line but the Blues would not have to wait too long. The ball found Hannah inside the area and he twisted and turned before firing past Tim Deasy to make it 1-0 with 20 minutes gone.

Chester pressed in search of another but didn't create too many genuine chances despite having the better possession and territory. Luke George sliced wide from 25 yards before Ryan Higgins tested Deasy with a half-volley from the edge of the box.

Altrincham had been second best but passed up the chance to equalise on the stroke of half-time when the normally reliable Damian Reeves headed straight at Worsnop from five yards.

The hosts continued to force the game following the break with Shaw twice firing over and and Johnny Hunt having an attempt blocked before James Lawrie wasted an excellent chance for the Robins after good work from replacement Nicky Clee.

Chester paid for those missed opportunities on the hour mark when Worsnop came for Jordan Sinnott's hopeful cross but Rankine beat him to the ball and headed into the unguarded net.

Altrincham now had the upper hand with Ian Sharps deflecting a Reeves strike behind but both he and the substitute Clee then had to be withdrawn after picking up knocks.

The Blues brought on new signing Steven Hewitt and Craig Hobson for the final 20 minutes with the game in the balance.

Chester had chances with Hobson taking too long to get his shot off after Shaw had put him in on goal and Hannah poking against the post from a tight angle, but the visitors almost nicked it at the death with Worsnop making an excellent double save to from Rankine and substitute George Bowerman.

Talking points

Ryan Lloyd: The on-loan Port Vale midfielder was arguably the best player on the pitch in the opening 45 minutes. He was encouraged to get forward and support the front two, which he did well. He's clever and careful in his use of the ball, although a couple of times he opted to pass when the shot looked a better option. That might be down to confidence than decision making and hopefully with more games that belief to be a little more ruthless will come.

Killer instinct: There's no hiding from the fact this was two points dropped. On the balance of possession, chances and pretty much everything else, the Blues should have been starting 2016 with a win instead of a frustrating draw. The lead could have been 3-0 at the end of the first-half but a single goal advantage is a dangerous one and unfortunately there was an air of inevitability about the equaliser. The National League is a ruthless division and games have to be put to bed when on top.

Match facts

Chester FC: Worsnop, Higgins, Heneghan, Sharps, Hunt, Mahon, George (Hewitt 72), Shaw, Lloyd, Hattersley (Hobson 72), Hannah.

Subs: Forth, Chapell, Rooney.

Goal: Hannah 20.

Altrincham: Deasy, Sinnott, Havern, Leather, Griffin, Moult, O'Keefe (Clee 46 (Heathcote 70)), Richman, Lawrie, Reeves (Bowerman 66), Rankine.

Subs: Williams, Swift.

Goal: Rankine 60.

Booked: Havern, Heathcote.

Referee: Rob Jones (Wirral).

Attendance: 2,155.

Star man: Craig Mahon.

Verdict

Two points dropped, no question. The Blues have only themselves to blame for letting this one go because a second goal would probably have put the Robins to bed.

There were plenty of chances, good ones too, but at the moment it seems Ross Hannah is the only player who knows how to stick the ball in the net and that over reliance will only get you so far.

Chester produced some good football, in particular down the left hand side where Johnny Hunt and Ryan Lloyd linked up well, and the back four restricted the visitors for the most part but the final third is where games are decided.

Each game seems to produce more questions than answers at the moment and expect the manager to make further changes to his squad in the coming weeks.