CHESTER'S disappointing away form continued as they fell to a 2-0 defeat at fellow promotion chasers Spennymoor Town.

Goals in either half from Ryan Hall and the prolific Glen Taylor ensured the Blues, for whom Gary Roberts missed a 55th minute penalty, lost more ground on those teams around them with a second consecutive defeat meaning Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley's men are now eighth in the table and outside the play off positions on goal difference.

A much changed Chester line up saw new signing George Waring make his debut up front with Scott Burton returning in midfield to skipper the side following a long lay off. Matty Thompson also retuned at right back with Dan Mooney and Craig Mahon dropping to the bench.

The Blues began well with Burton immediately making the midfield look a more compact unit and Waring a willing runner and not afraid to use his physical presence to unsettle the Moors' defence.

At the back Simon Grand and Steve Howson were in commanding form as they coped admirably with the huge Brewery Field slope and a swirling wind and for much of the opening 25 minutes the Blues looked comfortable.

All that changed soon after when a through ball found the league's top scorer Glen Taylor in a one on one with Grant Shenton who flew off his line to smother the shot. It was a warning for the Blues that wasn't heeded as just a minute later an almost identical pass found Ryan Hall who kept his composure to round Shenton and pass the ball into an empty net.

It was a blow for Chester and forced a rethink after the break with George Green coming on for Sean McAllister as the visitors looked for some more creativity in the middle of the park.

The Blues suddenly looked far more of a threat and ten minutes into the half they had their chance when Waring was hauled down in the box by James Curtis and the referee pointed to the spot. Up stepped Gary Roberts but his low shot to the keeper's right was brilliantly saved by Matthew Gould before Green's diving header from the rebound flew over the post.

To their credit the visitors responded well and almost went level when Burton got his head to an excellent Grand cross only to see the effort fly just wide of the post.

Mooney replaced Bradley Jackson as Chester continued to press but it was Spennymoor who had the next chance when a free kick found Taylor in the box whose shot flashed narrowly wide.

The hosts made a change of their own bringing on former Chester striker Shaun Tuton and moments later they found the decisive second goal as Taylor advanced into the box before wrong footing Dan Livesey and shooting through the defender's legs past an unsighted Shenton.

Six minutes of added time proved no help to Chester and it was Spennymoor who finished the stronger as the Blues were left contemplating a long journey south with much to ponder.