Chester FC failed to halt Forest Green Rovers outstanding start to the season despite more than matching the league leaders for large parts of the game.

Rovers went into the break with a narrow lead courtesy of Elliott Frear's strike five minutes before half-time, although the goal came during Chester's best spell of the first period.

The Blues improved in the second-half and grabbed a deserved equaliser through Luke George after the hour, but Forest Green have a squad full of talent and the introduction of Aaron O'Connor proved the difference as he netted the winner with his first touch on 76 minutes.

There could have been no complaints had Chester taken a point but overall the visitors had enough class and experience at their disposal to see the game out and secured a record eighth straight win.

Steve Burr made five changes with a debut for AFC Bournemouth forward Josh O'Hanlon, a first start for Dale Tonge, recalls for Craig Mahon and Tom Shaw and Luke George returning.

Forest Green controlled the opening stages with Jon Worsnop getting down well to save from Keanu Marsh-Brown on seven minutes.

That was the sole chance of note until the 18th minute when Rovers were awarded a penalty after referee Martin Coy ruled Worsnop had felled Kurtis Guthrie. It looked the right decision but Worsnop redeemed himself with an excellent stop to keep out Jon Parkin's spot kick.

Scoring opportunities were at a premium in a tight contest between two well-matched sides, although the Blues almost went ahead on 32 minutes when Ryan Higgins flicked header forced Jonny Maxted into a smart stop.

Craig Mahon had an ever better chance six minutes later after Luke George dispossessed Rob Sinclair but the winger pulled his shot well wide.

Chester seemed to have gained the upper hand but fell behind to a goal out of nothing on 40 minutes when Elliott Frear collected Parkin's flick, burst clear and fired past Worsnop into the bottom corner.

The Blues made a positive start to the second period with Luke George snapping at the Forest Green heels in midfield and Maxted tipping a Tom Shaw strike over the crossbar.

Rovers remained dangerous on the counter but lost the lead in the 62nd minute when John Rooney curled a free-kick to the far post where George powered a diving header into the net to bring his team level.

The goal was fair reward for Chester's second-half performance and Rooney almost gave them the lead with a free-kick that landed on the roof of the net.

Forest Green brought on leading scorer Aaron O'Connor and Tom Peers replaced O'Hanlon as the two mangers tried to find a crucial goal in the final 15 minutes.

And it was the visitors who got it when Guthrie released O'Connor, who raced onto the ball and lifted it over the onrushing Worsnop to put Rovers 2-1 ahead.

It was harsh on the Blues, who threw on George Thomson and Jordan Chapell in search of an equaliser. Thomson had the best chance in stoppage time but headed over the bar from close range and the three points went back to Gloucestershire.

Talking points

Wing worries: The selection of full-back Ryan Higgins in midfield was not a huge surprise given Dale Tonge would give more defensive strength and Jordan Chapell's performances had dipped. Higgins got himself involved as much as possible, however he often drifted inside in search of the ball and that denied the Blues width and space. Craig Mahon has been below his best on the left and it will be an area of concern to the manager, who will be hoping Chapell and Mahon can find some form sooner rather than later.

Match facts

Chester FC: Worsnop, Tonge, Heneghan, Sharps, Hunt, George (Thomson 82), Shaw, Rooney, Higgins, O'Hanlon (Peers 76), Mahon (Chapell 82).

Subs: Forth, Kay.

Goal: George 62.

Booked: Tonge.

Forest Green Rovers: Maxted, Pipe, Kelly, Bennett, Racine, Marsh-Brown (Clough 85), Sinclair, Wedgbury, Frear (Sam-Yorke 82), Parkin (O'Connor 74), Guthrie.

Subs: Jones, Kamdjo.

Goals: Frear 40, O'Connor 76.

Booked: Marsh-Brown, Racine, Guthrie, Pipe.

Referee: Martin Coy (County Durham).

Attendance: 2,163.

Star man: Luke George.

Verdict

In the lead up to the game, Steve Burr had said this would be a test of how much Chester had improved and the answer is a lot - but not quite enough.

The Blues can but dream of having the kind of budget available to Ady Pennock's and with those resources comes the ability to leave players of the calibre of Aaron O'Connor, Clovis Kamdjo and Darren Jones on the bench.

Chester are missing Ross Hannah and Craig Hobson while others are not quite at their peak at present, which can be the difference against the division's top sides.

But there was a lot more to be positive about than on Monday, where the Blues looked short on ideas, inspiration and invention.

This was a performance to build on in the next few weeks when the return of Hannah and Hobson, perhaps aided with one or two additions to the squad, should allow the Blues to keep on the coattails of the division's pacesetters.