Less that 400 Chester supporters were at Deva Stadium to witness this latest home defeat. Those who did turn up did get to see the first goal scored by the club in over 11 hours though! The Blues have now lost nine of their last ten matches as their desperate slump continues.

Caretaker manager Morell Maison made one change from the team thrashed at Mansfield Town in their last outing, bringing in Jack Rae for fellow youth team player Ryan Davidson, who took a place on the bench. Despite months without pay the youthful City side battled well in the opening periods.

The Blues opened the scoring against the run of play after half an hour with a first professional goal from Jack Rea. Another of the City youngsters Glenn Rule sent a ball into the box that was only partially cleared to Rea who volleyed past Lance Cronin in the visitors goal from 18 yards out.

Ten minutes later though the Fleet were level through Magno Vieira who slipped the ball under John Danby from close range following a well-worked cross from Stefan Bailey. The Brazilian-born striker had earlier missed two great chances to find the net in the opening ten minutes.

Worse was to follow three minutes later as Vieira added a second following good work by fellow striker Moses Ashikodi.

The impressive Vieira could have notched a hat-trick in stoppage time as he broke clear, but he squared the ball to Alex Stavrinou who failed in his attempt to lob Danby.

Both Danby and Ben Wilkinson were on hand to deny the visitors from close range soon after the break, however the Blues stuck to their guns and began to find an opening or two.

Ryan Davidson, on for Ben Jones, shot wide of the far post after cutting inside and a clearance from Peter Holmes deflected just wide off the onrushing Lloyd Ellams.

In the dying minutes Danby kept out a shot from Bailey after he’d brushed off the challenge of two City defenders to break clear.

• Conference table


Picture © Vicky Coulter