Chester's pre-season campaign ended in a disappointing defeat as they were downed 4-1 at FC united of Manchester on Tuesday night.

Playing their 10th and final friendly of the summer before Saturday's National League North opener at Boston United, the visitors turned in a below-par display at Broadhurst Park.

Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley's side found themselves 3-0 down inside 32 minutes, before Jamie Morgan reduced arrears.

A miserable first half for the visitors was compounded by an injury to striker Akwasi Asante, who was immediately replaced by George Waring.

FC United's lively start was rewarded on 10 minutes when Charlie Ennis curled a superb free-kick beyond Chester keeper Russ Griffiths from 20 yards.

That advantage was doubled six minutes later when Michael Donohue stabbed the ball home from close range after a defensive block fell kindly for him in the box.

Worryingly, the Blues went three down when Ennis's well-struck shot hit Gary Roberts on the chest and flew beyond a helpless Griffths.

Ailing for much of the half, Chester upped the tempo late on and grabbed a goal back from a swift counter-attack as Matty Hughes played in Morgan who finished clinically to make it 3-1.

Chester's managers rang the changes at the interval, making six substitutions for the second half.

But any hopes of a fightback were quashed on 63 minutes when Chris Doyle nodded home from a deep cross at the far post.

Substitute Matty Waters went close for Chester when his effort struck the foot of the post after a clever backheel from Anthony Dudley.

But they were unable to conjure another goal on a frustrating evening, which leaves the Blues with plenty of work to do before Saturday's league curtain-raiser.