CHESTER’S worries deepened last night when they crashed to their fourth successive defeat.
The troubled Blues remain marooned at the foot of the Blue Square Premier Division table after suffering another miserable setback.
City conceded a goal three minutes before the break from Stevenage striker Yemi Odubade, and a second goal by Mark Roberts in the 66th minute.
Second placed Stevenage provided a more effective cutting edge in the final third and punished a lacklustre Blues defence.
Chester conceded their 11th goal in four games during the second half when former Chester loan player Mark Roberts exploited time and space in the City box to rifle home a 10 yard effort.
The Blues did create a few openings and defender Shaun Kelly found the woodwork with a headed chance during the first half, but they were always facing an uphill task once Stevenage had broken the deadlock.
Blues boss Jim Harvey made two changes to the side that suffered a 3-1 home defeat against Altrincham at the weekend.
Defender Shaun Kelly and midfielder Adam Kay were named in the starting line-up in place of defender Rhys Meynell and striker Gregg Blundell who were named as substitutes.
Stevenage started brightly but Chester created the best scoring chance during the opening exchanges.
Scott Laird tested City keeper John Danby with a cross-shot after just five minutes, but the home club failed to break down a stubborn Chester rearguard.
City skipper Tim Ryan produced a number of important headed clearances to help keep Stevenage at bay and present a number of promising opportunities for Chester to counter-attack.
And City produced their first scoring chance of the match after 17 minutes when Clark Keltie, playing the final game of his one month loan spell before returning to Rochdale, hoisted a precision free kick from the right flank towards centre back Shaun Kelly whose six yard header struck the base of the right post before being cleared.
Chris Beardsley responded for the home club in the 23rd minute when he crafted a 25 yard drive which deflected off Kelly before bouncing fractionally wide of the right post.
Home striker Odubade looked a threat in the 25th minute with a weaving run beyond three City players before being dispossessed by Kelly on the edge of the Blues box.
Chester succeeded in breaking away from their own half in the 26th minute when midfielder James Owen fed Mark Beesley and his 25 yard shot was blocked by a defender before rebounding into Anthony Barry’s path, but he blazed over the bar from long range.
Stevenage managed to break the deadlock in the 42nd minute when Laird’s throw was flicked on by home captain Mark Roberts to find Obubade who made no mistake with his low shot which flew beyond Danby to find the bottom right corner of the net before he wheeled away celebrating with an acrobatic cartwheel.
Chester attempted to claw their way back into the game a minute before the break when Barry created time and space on the right before sending a cross into the box which Michael Bostwick headed behind.
The Blues were forced to make a change before half time after Adam Kay hobbled off with an injury. He was replaced by Blundell.
Nick Chadwick continued to probe for the Blues on the stroke of half-time, but his threaded pass into the area and intended for Barry was poked out by play by an alert Andy Drury.
Stevenage introduced substitute Jon Ashton in place of Lee Boylan before the restart in the hope of strengthening their bid to increase their advantage.
The home club posed City a few problems in the difficult conditions with a swirling wind and driving rain adding to a one goal deficit.
Odubade on the left flank was proving a continual threat with his pace and tenacious attitude. He won back possession from Kelly in the 58th minute and attempted a long range goalbound shot which Danby gratefully caught.
Chester punctuated the Stevenage raids by winning a free kick on the hour mark, but Keltie’s effort from 25 yards was blocked and cleared by the home club's defence.
Stevenage resumed their attacking initiatives a minute later when Laird launched a deep left wing cross towards the back post, but Danby did well to claim possession with a full stretch catch.
Ronnie Henry then unleashed a 30 yard thunderbolt which Danby did well to tip over his bar.
The resultant corner by Drury in the 66th minute was only half-cleared by City’s defence and ex-Chester loan player Mark Roberts slammed home from 10 yards to double his side’s lead.
Chester made a double substitution in the 75th minute to try and instil l some life into their performance.
Lloyd Ellams and Ben Wilkinson were introduced in place of Chadwick and Owen, but Ellams squandered two scoring opportunities within two minutes of coming on, both from 18 yards.
Beesley scampered his way to the right byline as time began to run out, but his low cross evaded a line of City players and was cleared.
Wilkinson then received a pass from Rule on the left flank,and he cut inside but saw his cross-shot fly well wide of the target.
Substitute Mitchell Cole replaced Stevenage man of the match, Odubade, five minutes from time and his first touch resulted in a goalbound shot from 25 yards which Danby held.
But Cole was then involved in a controversial incident in the dying minutes of the game when he pushed Kevin Roberts in the face and the City defender left the pitch with blood streaming from his face.
STEVENAGE BOROUGH (4-3-3): Day 7; Henry 7, Roberts 7, Bostwick 7, Laird 8; Drury 8, Murphy 7 (Bridges 54), Byrom 7; ODUBADE 9 (Cole 85), Beardsley 7, Boylan 7 (Ashton 45).
Subs (not used): Bayes, Griffin.
CHESTER CITY (4-5-1): Danby 7; Rule 7, Kelly 7, RYAN 8, Roberts 7; Owen 7 (Wilkinson 75), Keltie 7, Barry 7, Beesley 7, Kay 7 (Blundell 42); Chadwick 7 (Ellams 75).
Subs (not used): Murphy, Meynell.