EVEN the longest memories had trouble recalling a weaker Chester City side as even four new signings failed to prevent the club hitting rock bottom in the Nationwide Conference.
A well-organised Margate had no trouble extending their unbeaten away record and inflicting City's sixth succesive defeat, and director of football Gordon Hill's after-match comment summed up his side's plight. 'We weren't strong enough,' he said.
Although Chester, without three of their most experienced players, needed new blood, the inclusion of so many new faces merely gave the team a look of strangers and although they managed to create one or two chances there was never any doubt where the points would go.
Phil Collins gave Margate the lead after 25 minutes and, after Mark Beesley had gone close, the visitors provided a two-goal interval cushion by hitting the second goal through Jay Saunders, following Andy Porter's goalline clearance.
City should have close the gap when newcomer Brett Baxter burst through, only to shoot at goalkeeper Lee Turner, but the pattern was similar after the break with Margate almost in complete control.
After Wayne Brown had done well to save from Saunders, Beesley went close with a turn and shot over the bar. But it was all over two minutes from time when Leon Braithwaite strode through a disorganised defence to hit his ninth goal of the season.
Chester: Brown, Woodyatt, M Rose, Lancaster, Halford, Baxter (Kilgannon 45), Ruscoe (Porter 45), C O'Brien, Wright (Hopwood 62), Beesley, M O'Brien.
Subs: Roberts, S Rose.
Booked: M O'Brien.
Margate: Turner, Blackford, Lamb, Edwards, Williams, Porter, Munday, Graham, Braithwaite, Collins (Sodje 72), Saunders. Subs: Beard, Hafner, Azzopardi, Spencer.
Referee: L Marsh.
Attendance: 828.
