DEVASTATED - that was how Chester felt after this defeat according to director of rugby Steve Donovan.

After a season of struggling against bigger and better teams Donovan believed his team, an experienced pack with young quick backs who languish second from bottom in North One, had finally cracked it against Hull.

'We were better throughout the game and led for most of it,' he said.

'Despite losing Liam Norton and Rhyddian Jones on the eve of the game to injuries we played very well. Hull have a lot of overseas players who are big, strong and experienced and we could have been hammered.

'But all of the things we have been working towards seemed to click in this match and we were in our element until the end.'

A try from prop Jamie White-lock-Wainwright plus two penalty kicks from Simon Francis gave Chester their points.

'The pack did exceptionally well,' said Donovan. 'They battled against bigger lads and they mostly won.

'To lose the way we did was a kick in the teeth.'

Towards the end Hull overtook battling Chester and held a 16-11 lead when controversy struck.

Donovan felt let down by the referee who sin-binned a Hull player for a high tackle but only awarded a penalty, not the penalty try Chester felt should have been given for the offence.

'If we had had the penalty try and the conversion we would surely have held on for victory,' said Donovan.

'But as it was from the penalty Hull regained possession, broke and scored a drop-goal to break our hearts.

'This was the one and we tried to lift the players after the game because they did everything we have asked of them this season but they were devastated.

'To lose like that is a kick in the guts but if we play like that for the rest of the season we will be all right.

'With the injuries, luck and learning experiences we have had, if we survive this season it will be wonderful.

'But if we maintain this level of playing I think we will do it.'