CALUM MCINTYRE admitted his side was not good enough as Chester departed the FA Trophy with a narrow away day loss.

Northern Premier League Premier Division side Gainsborough Trinity booked their spot in the next round thanks to a 1-0 success over the Blues, confirmed by Declan Howe’s strike from close range in the 87th minute.

Manager McIntyre, who saw Jack Bainbridge being sent-off in the final 10 minutes, told Chester FC TV: “Not a good enough performance. Those type of performances mean results become tosses of the coin and they end up being settled on something bizarre, or refereeing decisions, or mistakes, or all of the above. So, I’m under no illusions that I don’t think we were good enough around hitting our levels today.”

Opportunities were lacking for the Blues in the opening period, with Kurt Willoughby’s attempt being saved by Dylan Wharton.

Gainsborough thought they had taken the lead on the hour when the ball went into the net, but the referee had spotted a foul on a Chester player. Will Hugill had a low shot comfortably saved for the Blues, while Willoughby struck a volley over the top of the crossbar from Jordan Hunter’s cross.

McIntyre added: “It was always going to be a tough test. They’re flying at the moment, but I don’t think we’ve put on the type of performance that is required for us to hit our levels.”

Chester will look to bounce back at Leamington tomorrow.

Other results: Alfreton 3 Needham Market 2; Bamber Bridge 0 Farsley 1; Chorley 3 Marine 1; Curzon Ashton 2 Macclesfield 2 (Macclesfield win 5-3 on penalties); Darlington 1 Buxton 0; Hereford 0 Brentwood 1; Kidderminster 2 Halesowen 1; Leamington 2 King’s Lynn 1; Oxford City 5 Sporting Khalsa 0; Peterborough Sports 2 Chelmsford 0; Radcliffe 3 Worksop 2; Royston 0 Rushall 1; Scunthorpe 1 Warrington Rylands 2; Southport 3 Warrington 0; Spennymoor 2 South Shields 1; Stockton 3 Scarborough 1.