Chester FC were left ruing a hat-trick of first-half chances after a 1-0 defeat at Gateshead, making it four games without a win for Steve Burr's side.

Tom Shaw, John Rooney and Ross Hannah were unable to capitalise on scoring positions but the Blues tailed off after the break and the Heed punished them in the 82nd minute when CJ Hamilton's shot diverted in, although it was unclear whether Ryan Bowman or Alex Whitmore got the last touch.

With new manager Neil Aspin watching from the stands, Gateshead came flying out of the traps and had the ball in the net inside two minutes when Adam Wrightson slammed home Ryan Bowman's cross but an offside flag came to Chester's rescue.

The hosts continued to press but a change on 12 minutes when Jon Shaw limped off signalled a shift in the momentum and the visitors almost took the lead in the 19th minute. Rooney’s sweeping pass released Tom Shaw but Simon Ramsden cleared the midfielder's first attempt and his follow up rebounded off the upright.

Rooney himself took too long to get his shot off when well placed and Ross Hannah should have done better in the 27th minute when Ryan Lloyd slipped him behind Ben Clark with the in-form striker pulling his shot across the face of goal.

Gateshead then came back into things with opportunities for CJ Hamilton and Paddy McLaughlin but an even first-half ended goalless.

The game tightened up following the restart with far fewer chances and Chester finding themselves seeing less of the ball than in the opening 45 minutes.

Gateshead failed to make their possession count with James Curtis blasting over from 18 yards and Jordan Cranston firing high and wide after a surging run.

Chester's response was limited with Sam Russell making a comfotrable save from Rooney and Hannah missing the target from a tight angle.

Entering the final 10 minutes it was hard to see where a goal was going to come from but the Heed found a breakthrough with eight minutes to go. CJ Hamilton's shot from the left was heading wide but deflected past a wrong-footed Worsnop with the unforunate Alex Whitmore seeming to get the final touch.

The Blues didn't look capable of getting back on terms as the hosts finished the stronger to see the game out and give Aspin a winning start .

Talking points

Ben back to his best: Ben Heneghan's form since returning to central defence has been outstanding and the 21-year-old gave another masterful display here. He has a maturity beyond his years and has been a real leader on the pitch in the absence of Ian Sharps. Performances like these are sure to attract Football League scouts and it would be no surprise if one of those clubs made an approach when the transfer window opens.

He's powerful in the air, good on the deck and crucially knows when to clear his lines and when to keep possession. Unfortunately he blotted his copybook late on with an unnecessary booking which will rule him out of the next two games.

Hattersley and Lloyd: This was the first chance to guage what Danny Hattersley and Ryan Lloyd can offer and both made decent impressions. Hattersley won a number of flicks, held up possession and looked to bring those around him into the game. He did tire during the second-half, which was to be expected give he has not had much football, but overall this was a positive start.

Lloyd tucked in on the left side of the midfield four and showed some clever touches, including one excellent pass that should have resulted in a goal for Ross Hannah. He was brushed off the ball a little too easily a couple of times, perhaps a reason he hasn't been able to hold down a regular spot at Port Vale.

Match facts:

Gateshead: Russell, Baxter, Curtis, Clark, Cranston, Mafuta, McLaughlin, Baxter, Wrightson (Honeyman 62), Shaw (Hamilton 12), Bowman. Subs: MacDonald, Buddle, Smith.
Goal: Whitmore (own goal) 82.
Booked: Mafuta.
Chester FC: Worsnop, Higgins, Heneghan, Whitmore, Hunt, Rooney, George, Shaw (Chapell 86), Lloyd (Mahon 69), Hattersley, Hannah. Subs: Forth, Sharps, Dyson.
Booked: George.
Referee: Jason Whiteley (West Yorkshire)
Attendance: 842.
Star man: Ben Heneghan.