The blindingly obvious fact that if you concede three goals and fail to score yourself you will not win a match, partially hides the fact that, in many areas of the game, except perhaps for the most crucial, this was a Barnet performance that did not deserve to be rewarded with a three goal defeat.
The Bees settled first and moved the ball well in a controlled fashion, yet it was Chester who took the lead on 6 minutes. Out on the left the Chester winger Kevin Ellison was allowed to win possession and his cross to the far post was only partially cleared by Joe O'Cearuill with the ball falling kindly to Ritchie Partridge whose crisp volley found the back of the net.
Chester having taken the lead enjoyed a period of pressure but the visitors with Jason Puncheon and Ashley Carew providing penetration down the flanks were looking to force their way back into the match.
Adam Birchall had a good opportunity to level the scores but John Danby in the Chester goal was equal to the task and the chance was gone. The home keeper also saved well from an effort by Neal Bishop. Later the Bees midfielder was to be the victim of a callous and careless challenge when his path was crudely blocked and he must now be a doubt for the next fixture.
Both wing men for Chester were looking capable of inflicting damage, on the right Partridge was swift and direct and Ellison was using his strong left foot to good effect.
It was Ellison, now operating on the right that doubled Chester's advantage five minutes before half time. He cut inside the left back Kenny Gillet and released a powerful shot from some 25 yards that had the home fans dancing with delight.
The task now facing Barnet was daunting but early in the second half the Bees strove manfully to reduce the deficit, with Birchall, Puncheon and Hatch all having reasonable efforts on goal.
Being two goals to the good Chester were happy to concede possession, keep people behind the ball and mount counter attacks as Barnet pushed men forward.
Giuliano Grazioli was added to the attack from the bench and he had a chance when well positioned but again Danby was in no mood to spoil his clean sheet.
With 15 minutes remaining Chester established an unassailable lead when Ellison, again, was on hand to capitalise when the Barnet defence failed to deal adequately with a deep cross to the far post. His shot was firm and true and in the net in a flash.
Liam Hatch was cautioned, his fifth this season, and will now be suspended for the Cup replay against Burton Albion at Underhill next Tuesday.
The eighty hearty souls who followed the Bees to the Deva Stadium deserve a special mention. The vocal support they offered their team was awesome.
Josh Wright, in his last game of his 93 day loan period at Barnet, again put in a performance that belies his tender age. He was strong in the tackle, showed a good first touch and made intelligent use of the ball; the hallmarks of his time as a Bee.
Injuries and suspensions are now cutting deep in the squad and selection and positional issues are sure to be uppermost in Paul Fairclough's mind between now and Saturday's home fixture against Macclesfield Town.
David Bloomfield.
Attendance 1858
Travelling Bees 80
Big Flag Count 3
