CHESTER’S hopes of reaching the National League North play-offs are hanging by a thread on the back of a home loss.

The Blues are now three points adrift of the top-seven after they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Alfreton Town at the Leap76 Stadium.

Kennedy Digie’s deflected strike had the visitors in the lead on 36 minutes, after Tom Peers was just off target in a bright start for Calum McIntyre’s Blues.

Kevin Roberts headed a further Alfreton attempt off the line prior to the interval, while George Cantrill hit the crossbar as Town sought another goal in the second half.

This would arrive on 66 minutes as Digie headed in his second of the afternoon.

Christian Norton and George Glendon had efforts to try and haul Chester back into things, but Alfreton preserved their advantage.

This win moved Alfreton up from seventh to fifth, while Chester are 10th with three matches left to play.

National League North champions Tamworth lost out 3-0 at Brackley Town while second-placed Scunthorpe United edged a 1-0 verdict away to Southport.

Other results: Bishop’s Stortford 3 Banbury 1; Chorley 2 Blyth 0; Curzon Ashton 2 South Shields 0; Hereford 2 Buxton 2; King’s Lynn 3 Scarborough 4; Peterborough Sports 1 Gloucester 0; Rushall 1 Boston 0; Spennymoor 3 Farsley 1; Warrington 1 Darlington 3.

National League results: Aldershot 1 Dorking 1; Altrincham 1 Oldham 0; Barnet 3 Oxford City 1; Bromley 1 Woking 1; Chesterfield 1 Kidderminster 3; Dagenham & Redbridge 1 Ebbsfleet 1; Eastleigh 2 Maidenhead 3; Rochdale 1 Hartlepool 1; Southend 4 Boreham Wood 2; Wealdstone 0 Solihull Moors 1.