ROCHDALE boss Keith Hill praised his players for resisting an injury-time 'cavalry charge' from Chester in last Friday's derby at the Saunders Honda Stadium.
The Blues almost salvaged something from the game after creating a string of late chances, but they were kept at bay and ended up slipping to a third consecutive 1-0 defeat.
Dale boss Hill said: 'It was difficult for us after the break, but we defended the goal in an excellent manner.
'The players really wanted to protect the lead and you could see the self-belief among them as they stood up to Chester's cavalry charge.
'What this game showed was that we also know how to win ugly.'
City boss Mark Wright launched a scathing attack on referee Andrew Taylor after the match, describing the Cheshire official's performance as the worst he has ever seen.
Taylor awarded Chester a second-half penalty after Phil Bolland tumbled under the challenge of Rory McArdle in the area - but then changed his mind after consulting the assistant referee on the far touchline.
Wright fumed: 'Bolland's been felled, the ball goes over the top and he gives a free-kick for a foul by Dave Artell. I don't understand that. You can go on about referees all you want and people might think it's excuses.
'I don't want to keep going on about it, but if I have to make a comment, that was the poorest display I've ever seen since I've been in football.
'I don't think he (Taylor) got many things right and even their bench were laughing at the decision over the penalty. They couldn't believe it.'
