CHESTER head coach Nic Corrigan admits his side need to get back to their clinical best after the narrow 15-14 defeat at home to Macclesfield on Saturday.

Chester started the National League Two North campaign in blistering fashion, winning their first four games.

But the loss to Macclesfield comes off the back of the 42-22 defeat at home to Sedgley Park the previous weekend and Corrigan is looking for a reaction.

Next up is a trip to Leicester Lions and Corrigan insists they need to cut out the mistakes that have cost them dearly over the past two games.

“I'm pleased with the performance, but I’m disappointed with a couple of errors – we starved ourselves out of the game,” he said.

“I think we could have been a bit more ruthless and we could have been much more clinical. Fundamentally we didn't recognise space when we had it. 

“Macclesfield were a tough test for us and although it was a better performance than last week it's frustrating just to come away with one point.

“I think it's fair to say that Macclesfield came at us through the middle and through the forwards and the guys stood up and the forwards performed well and certainly much better than last week. 

“What is disappointing is our execution and we've got to be more clinical in the right areas. Am I disheartened? No but we've taken one point from the last ten available and we haven't done ourselves justice in the league. 

“I asked the lads to earn respect and the reality for me is that you've got to earn respect in this league. 

“I think we've earned Macclesfield's respect but not in the right way through a victory. 

“There's a lot more to come and I think we are a sore changing room because we know the last two games have been winnable and particularly this one.”

The hosts went 7-0 up after Elfyn Davies’ try was converted by Rhys Hayes and then strengthened their position just before half-time when William Nelson crossed.

That 12-5 advantage, though, was not enough as Matthew O’Regan dotted down for the visitors and five points from the boot of Thomas Eaton saw them home.

Chester did have the chance to win the contest with a late penalty but Corrigan had no qualms with the decision to kick for the posts.

“The decision to kick in injury time was a team one and I'm quite happy with it. It's not my call to make, it's Tom Gregory's as captain to make that call on the pitch,” he added.

“They felt that the kick was on and I think they'd discussed it with the referee in respect of a scrummage and all those areas and they felt that the best decision was to kick and I've got no problem with that. They've got to back themselves and I believe in players that do that.”

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