Chester 2-0 AFC Telford United - match report and pictures

The Bucks, who are rock bottom of the Conference Premier, had been targeting a big three points to help nudge them closer to safety.

But they instead delivered a toothless attacking display and were again poor at the back, allowing their hosts to claim a comfortable victory.

Manager Liam Watson made just one change to the starting XI that began Saturday's 1-1 draw against Grimsby Town.

Midfielder Mike Grogan came back into the team, having recovered from a knock, with Kristian Platt dropping to the bench.

And Godfrey Poku gave the hosts an early scare with a fierce drive which was deflected just wide after two minutes.

But Sean McConville saw his low effort deflected just wide at the other end and Craig Mahon then also narrowly missed the target with an 18-yard strike from the resulting corner.

John Rooney was not far away either with a rasping 18 yard effort following a short corner routine on 21 minutes.

At the other end, Tony Gray slotted wide from close range a minute later following good work from Ryan Higgins and Karl Ledsham.

But Telford goalkeeper Freddy Hall, who started the season at Chester, then almost handed the hosts the easiest of openers with a hasty throw out.

His 30th minute throw hit oblivious defender Rod McDonald on the back but the defender responded quickly enough to clear before Matty Hughes could pounce on the opportunity.

Hall redeemed himself quickly though when he got down low to deny former Telford transfer target Rhys Oates following a defensive error by Steve Akrigg.

It was a rare shot on target from either side though and Sam Smith became the latest to miss with a wayward curling effort from the edge of the box entering the final 10 minutes of the first half.

Telford continued to live dangerously at the back though and only a last ditch clearance by Higgins from virtually on the goal line prevented a Chester opener following some penalty box pinball.

And Chester finished the half in the ascendancy albeit without managing to conjure a breakthrough.

Hughes drew a routine save from Hall with an 18 yard effort in first half stoppage time as the Bucks survived to reach the interval all square.

Watson needed to freshen things up at the break and he replaced defender Steve Akrigg with midfielder Josh Hancock in a formation reshuffle at the start of the second half.

The Bucks switched from 5-3-2 to 4-4-2 but the hosts made the far better start as Blues skipper Matty Brown headed home from a corner just seven minutes after the restart.

Bucks midfielder Mike Grogan won a corner soon afterwards when goalkeeper Jon Worsnop spilled his skidding effort but as had been the case all game, Telford failed to capitalise from the set piece.

The game became increasingly scrappy in the final 30 minutes but the hosts continued to make most of the running.

And Hughes should probably have made it 2-0 with 15 minutes left only to fire straight at Hall from close range.

But Telford's misery was complete with 14 minutes remaining when Hall's clearance appeared to strike Andy Parry under pressure from Oates before ricocheting into the empty net.