Boss Calum says sorry to Chester fans after big loss

Much of the damage was caused in the first half with the Blues three goals down and the result completed a poor week for Chester, who were beaten 1-0 at home to Buxton in midweek.

Manager McIntyre told Chester FC TV: “It needs to be an absolute heartfelt, sincere apology to our supporters, because they expect and we need more than that in terms of a result and a performance, and I mean that.”

Devon Matthews headed Curzon Ashton into the lead inside 90 seconds and things soon got worse for the Blues when Michael Afuye punished an error to make it 2-0.

Tom Peers’ foul on Stefan Mols resulted in a penalty award and this was duly tucked away by Mols for goal number three.

Charlie Caton’s strike from 25 yards that went just wide was the bright spot of Chester’s gloomy first half showing and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts grabbed the fourth after the break.

Efforts from James Spencer and Luis Lacey were saved by Elyh Harrison as the home side sought further goals.

Mcintyre added: “We took a big following here and this has been, in recent years - the last two years - a happy hunting ground and it comes with a real opportunity to build momentum and we let ourselves down, first and foremost, and that is a real genuine apology.

“As for the game, horrific errors have decided the result and then a really poor reaction to those errors and the atmosphere that creates on the pitch.

“So, we concede the first goal and I’ve never made a habit of criticising players publicly.

“I’ll take responsibility for our players’ mistakes, because that’s what you have to do if you’re the manager.”

Chorley are the new leaders after they won 2-1 at Spennymoor.

Other results: Brackley 1 South Shields 0; Buxton 7 Needham Market 1; Darlington 2 Warrington 2; Hereford 3 Farsley 0; King’s Lynn 0 Leamington 0; Marine 0 Scarborough 1; Peterborough Sports 0 Kidderminster 1; Radcliffe 1 Oxford C 3; Rushall 1 Alfreton 3; Southport 3 Scunthorpe 2.