CHESTER CITY squandered two points in their quest for the Nationwide Conference champion-ship, after letting a 3-1 half time lead slip against a spirited Accrington Stanley side at the Deva Stadium last night.

City looked to be coasting at the break, but a defensive horror show in the second period was their downfall.

Ben Davies headed the home side into the lead after 18 minutes, but Paul Cook equalised with a 20-yard strike.

Six minutes from the break Daryl Clare, who seems to be finding his old sharpness, restored Chester's lead with a close range header then added a second on the stroke of half-time.

Chester's superiority of the first half evaporated completely in the second.

First the City defence just watched as Lutel ik-James converted a Prendergast cross from close range, then with nine minutes of the game remaining, a dreadful defensive mix-up saw Prendergast's high ball being missed by the statuesque City defenders, and creeping into the net.

Worse could have occurred three minutes from the end, but Brown did well to save a 20-yard free-kick from Cavanagh.