NOBODY seemed too surprised about the ease with which City rolled over against their Cheshire neighbours.
And there lies the most worrying and troublesome point for the Blues to ponder as they face an almighty uphill task at the foot of the Blue Square League Premier Division table.
Embarrassed Chester fans headed for the exits well before referee Darren Drysdale blew up for full time.
Boos rang out from City supporters as the players trudged off at the break and the unhappy fans also vented their disillusionment when the final whistle sounded.
Chester have now conceded nine goals in their last three league games and Saturday’s latest tale of woe came on the back of bitterly disappointing defeats at York City and Tamworth.
The club’s off the field problems seem to be having a adverse effect on the pitch as uncontracted City boss Jim Harvey prepares for a long, hard winter.
Cash-strapped Chester’s current crippling and ongoing transfer embargo coupled with their perilous position in the league table have predictably triggered low attendances.
And the end of month extended deadline to clear all City’s footballing debts now looms large after Saturday’s match day programme confirmed Stephen Vaughan Junior as club owner and director, rather than his father.
Goals from Colin Little and Rob Williams earned hard-working Altrincham a 2-0 half-time lead against the Blues who had Glenn Rule respond.
But Chris Senior’s stoppage time strike wrapped up the points for an Altrincham side who celebrated their first win in six games.
Blues boss Jim Harvey made no fewer than three changes to the City side that had crashed 3-1 at Tamworth the previous week.
Glenn Rule, James Owen, and Gregg Blundell were all handed starting places, while Shaun Kelly and Adam Kay were named as substitutes, and on loan winger, Michael Coulson had returned to Barnsley due to Chester failing to fund an extension to his one month stay.
Striker Nick Chadwick produced City’s only goalbound shot of the opening half after just 42 seconds which was saved by visiting keeper, Stuart Coburn, following a neat assist from Gregg Blundell.
But Altrincham deservedly carved a two-goal cushion by the end of the half, thanks to a string of promising pass and move initiatives.
Ex-Chester defender, Matt Doughty delivered a dangerous left wing cross in the 10th minute which Kevin Roberts sliced wide of his own left post.
And Doughty presented another fine left-sided cross three minutes later which Greg Young headed into the grateful arms of John Danby.
Colin Little then attempted to wriggle his way into space on the edge of the area in the 16th minute, but he was denied a shot thanks to a well-timed tackle and clearance by Rule.
But Rule and his defensive partners were powerless to prevent Altrincham from breaking the deadlock in the 22nd minute when Shaun Densmore hoisted a deep cross from the right flank after outwitting Rhys Meynell, and Little was well placed to crash home a close range header.
And the writing was on the proverbial wall minutes later as Altrincham compiled a succession of raids on the nervous-looking City rearguard.
Densmore again exploited time and space on the right to flight a cross to the back post where Nicky Clee headed back across goal only for Kevin Roberts to head behind.
And Little saw his goalbound volley gathered by Danby just seconds later.
Altrincham skipper and central midfielder Robbie Lawton was helped off with a back injury and replaced by Aaron Burns in the 29th minute.
And Altrincham doubled their advantage in the 33rd minute when Clee’s long throw was flicked on by John McAliskey into the path of Rob Williams who rifled his unstoppable 10-yard volley into the top right corner of the net.
And the visitors could have easily extended their lead within minutes of the restart.
Little scampered clear of the City offside trap and forced home skipper Tim Ryan into a 47th minute headed clearance, and Senior unleashed a 10-yard strike a minute later which flew inches over the bar.
Chester, urged on from the technical area by an increasingly impatient Jim Harvey, did then show a brief flicker of urgency.
Substitute Ben Wilkinson wasted a superb scoring opportunity in the 50th minute when he miscued a free header from Rule’s inch perfect delivery, and Blundell’s angled shot from Clark Keltie’s 54th minute pass was blasted over the target.
But then came a moment of sheer brilliance from Glenn Rule who let fly with an exquisite 25-yard left footed strike totally out of the blue which flew beyond Coburn to find the top left corner of the net.
City had provided themselves with a lifeline, or so it seemed.
Striker Mark Beesley squandered a chance to level matters with a low shot that was easily gathered by Coburn, and substitute Lloyd Ellams, who replaced Blundell 15 minutes from time, conjured up two shots in quick succession which Coburn comfortably snapped up.
Anthony Barry attempted to restore some parity with a 25-yard free kick, but his effort was drilled harmlessly over the bar.
Chester had again failed to capitalise on their chances and suffered a miserable finale when Little orchestrated Altrincham’s skilful third goal two minutes into injury time by picking out Densmore on the right side of the area, who squared a pass for Senior to steer low into the bottom left corner of the net from 18 yards.