Two second half goals condemned a lacklustre Blues side to defeat against one of the favourites for the drop at the Crabble Athletic Ground.

Both teams negated each other in a ragged first half and although things improved in the second, neither side really did enough to win the game.

Chester didn’t get going until after Ben Heneghan had put through his own net 90 seconds after the restart and Connor Essam doubled the deficit on 64 minutes.

Dover came under strong pressure in the final 20 minutes and were nervous leaders but some wasteful finishing and desperate defending combined to send the Blues home empty-handed.

Chester made the marathon trip to Kent in fine form having taken 13 points from a possible 18, helping them to 14th in the table and close to breaking into the top-half.

Progressive improvement over the season bode well and although it didn't always work, the conviction in passing, attacking football was commendable and had produced some excellent stuff.

Steve Burr retained the same XI that beat Aldershot Town 1-0 on Tuesday night, meaning match-winner Matty Hughes continued up front after an impressive start to his loan spell from Fleetwood Town.

Leading scorer Craig Hobson, who has been battling a hamstring strain, made a welcome return on the bench, replacing Matty Brown.

Dover won promotion from the Conference South last season but had found the transition tough, losing nine from 15 to leave them one place above the bottom four.

Survival would be viewed as mission accomplished for boss Chris Kinnear and his side, who lost 3-2 at Nuneaton Town midweek to end a three-game unbeaten run.

Dover made three changes from that match, injuries ruling out Matt Lock and Tyrone Sterling and Stefan Payne moving to the bench. Chris Kinnear Jnr, Tom Murphy and Tom Wynter came in.

Chester made a decent start on a charming ground overlooking the town and had the first chance on 12 minutes when Connor Essam flung himself of Gareth Roberts' shot.

Dover went closer to breaking the deadlock on 18 minutes when Murphy skinned John Rooney and found Nick Deverdics, whose first shot was blocked before lifting his second inches over.

Ricky Miller fired a free kick into McConville and Kinnear Jnr was unable to convert after good work from winger Christian Nanetti as the Whites upped the ante.

Chester were not getting enough men around Hughes and the home defence found things too comfortable, although Craig Mahon might have been in on goal had he chosen to take the ball on rather than pass.

Miller was the biggest danger for the hosts and his clever chipped shot from 20 yards had Worsnop worried on 38 minutes but the ball dropped over the bar.

Dover had been the better side but the first good ball in behind them four led to a chance for Hughes on 43 minutes, who ran onto Rooney's pass but keeper Andrew Rafferty saved his low effort.

Michael Kay made an important interventions seconds before the break to prevent Miller getting a shot off, ensuring the game remained goalless at the end of the first half.

Ibou Touray replaced Peter Winn for the second period as Burr searched for an improvement but his side fell behind within 90 seconds.

Murphy took a pass, worked an opening and hit a low shot that deflected off the unfortunate Heneghan and past the helpless Worsnop.

Chester recovered well enough to that setback and began to force the game more but the Whites defended well, restricting the available space.

Burr made another change on 55 minutes, bringing on Hobson for Roberts and moving to McConville to the left wing.

Mahon tried his best to get the Blues going and forced Raffety into a good stop on 62 minutes, turning Tom Wynter inside out before the keeper turned his shot behind.

Kieran Charnock climbed highest to meet the resulting corner but an unmarked McConville couldn't connect with his flick.

Dover moved the ball upfield and another stroke of luck led to them doubling the lead on 64 minutes when a sliced shot found Murphy and Essam headed his cross past Worsnop.

Chester almost conceded again seconds after the restart but Worsnop made an unconvincing save from Nanetti before Murphy rolled a shot against the post.

Having escaped with that one the Blues began to force the game and created a succession of chances.

James' heavy touch forced him wide when clean through and Hughes spanned his cutback wide, Rafferty saved from McConville and Mahon had a shot deflected behind.

Hobson headed a corner over, Heneghan steered another wide and Kingsley James did have the ball in the net but not before an offside flag had been raised.

Dover dropped deeper and deeper in the last few minutes but Chester couldn't break them down and Hughes, Hobson and Worsnop were all booked late as the frustration mounted.

There was enough time for one more chance with James pulling the ball back to Rooney but he smashed his shot wide, summing up a disappointing show.

Chester FC: Worsnop, Heneghan, Kay, Charnock, G Roberts (Hobson 55), Mahon, Rooney, James, Winn (Touray 46), McConville (Menagh 76), Hughes.

Subs: C Roberts, Harrison.

Booked: Heneghan, Kay, Touray, Hughes, Hobson, Worsnop.

Dover Athletic: Rafferty, Stone, Orlu, Bonner, Essam, Wynter, Deverdics, Kinnear, Murphy (Raggett 84), Miller (Elder 90), Nanetti (Bellamy 74).

Subs: Reid, Payne.

Goals: Heneghan (own goal) 47, Essam 64.

Booked: Miller, Deverdics, Bonner.

Referee: Christopher Powell (Dorset)

Attendance: 1,009.