CHESTER ended their unbeaten run with a heavy defeat against the high-flying Imps.

The Blues' hopes of extending their unbeaten run to 10 games were shattered by the visitors.

Ryan Astles and  Tom Shaw accounted for Chester 's goals, but Lincoln hit back after going behind and had two-goal Matt Rhead, Sean Raggett, Jack Muldoon, and Harry Anderson on target.

Chester made just one change from the side that drew 0-0 at Macclesfield Town in midweek, with centre-back Blaine Hudson replacing injured Theo Vassell.

The visitors looked a big threat in the opening five minutes from crosses delivered by Harry Anderson and Theo Robinson, but Sam Hughes produced two important headed clearances.

But Chester hit back when Elliott Durrell saw a 25 yard shot fly just wide of the left post.

Lincoln countered in the 14th minute, but Ryan Astles cleared under pressuire from Robinson.

Nathan Arnold forced  Blues keeper Alex Lynch into a superb save in the 15th minute, and  Hughes produced a fine block to deny Anderson seconds later.

Matt Rhead looked frustrated after seeing his six yard header fly over the bar in the 17th minute, and Lynch was kept on his toes when he made a fisted clearance as the Imps continued to press.

Chester responded in the 24th minute when Ryan Lloyd hoisted a cross towards Hughes inside the penalty box but the ball proved too high for the defender.

Jordan Chapell was presented with a good scoring chance in the 29th minute, but his powerful goalbound effort from 15 yards was well saved by Farman.

Astles bro,e the deadlock in the 33rd minute from close range after Lloyd's corner had found Shaw at the back post.

Durrell then rifled wide from a good position after a neat passing move as Chester tried to build on their breakthrough.

But Rhead levelled matters a minute later with a header from Sam Habergham's corner.

Chester went 2-1 up in the 44th minute after he converted a spot-kick after been brought down by Lincoln skipper Luke Waterfall.

But Sean Raggett equalised seconds before the break with a close range header from Habergham's right-sided corner.

Rhead provided the Imps with a perfect start to the second half when he punished a a half clearance from Arnold's 48th minute free kick.

Chester then countered and Shaw held his head in his hands after seeing a goalbound strike blocked by Alan Power.

Substitute Jack Muldoon had a chance to extend Lincoln's lead in the 75th minute, but his shot after a powerful run was fired wide of the left post.

Muldoon then made it 4-2 in the 82nd minute after a long run and neat one-two with Rhead.

And Anderson then tucked home Lincoln's fifth seconds later after carving open the Blues defence.

Chester came close to reducing the arrears when Lloyd forced Farman into a save and then Kane Richards saw an effort hit the bar.

CHESTER (4-4-2): Lynch; Hudson, Hughes, Astles, Hunt; Shaw, Lloyd, Mahon (Richards 60), Durrell; Chapell, Alabi (Akintunde 67). Subs (not used): Horwood, Joyce,Waters.

LINCOLN CITY (4-4-2): Farman, Wood, Habergham, Waterfall, Power (Whitehouse 76); Anderson, Raggett, Woodyard, Robinson (Muldoon 64); Rhead (Hawkridge 85), Arnold. Subs (not used): Miles, McCombe.

REFEREE: Anthony Backhouse.

ATTENDANCE: 2,586 (413 from Lincoln).

See Monday's Leader for full match report and pictures.