An off day from Chester saw Altrincham come away with all three points following a 2-0 victory at Ellesmere Port Sports Village.
It was the Seals first defeat in three games after back to back wins and their first defeat on home soil this season.
The visitors took the lead after Chester failed to clear their lines and allowed a ball to be crossed into the box which wasn't dealt with by the defence and was bundled home in very scrappy fashion.
Altrincham would go onto double their lead with 20 minutes remaining against the run of the play, a ball played through found the striker who poked the ball past Duran to add the second and all but kill the game off with little time remaining.
It wasn't for the one for trying for the Blues, numerous chances were created in both halves but the opposition keeper pulled off a string of brilliant saves to keep her clean sheet intact
The Seals remain in third place on fourteen points, four points behind 2nd placed Curzon Ashton.
Both sides began the game quite strong and kept hold of the ball very well in the opening exchanges. Ashleigh Bullock looked sharp for Chester in the heart of midfield looking to drive the ball at the defence early on. Both sides were struggling to cope with the weather conditions, with Chester having the first shot of the game. Amy Smith saw her fly wide of the post.
In the 22nd minute, the breakthrough arrived a ball from out of the left was allowed to bounce in the six-yard box and the Seals couldn't clear the ball resulting it being stuck under Duran. The ball would eventually be prodded goalwards an into an empty net, not the prettiest of the gaols but they all count and Altrihcam led 1-0.
The visitors could have a second not long after, the Chester defence was breached but ultimately Duran stood tall and kept the ball out with a great save. Duran would then be called into action again, this time saving a shot from distance to keep the game at 1-0.
The second half followed the same pattern as the first, Chester very much the team in control pushing for an equalizer.
Chester were soon caught napping a long-range effort from Altrincham cannoned back off the bar and away form safety.
With just over 20 minutes remaining Chester were nearly level, midfielder Amy Smith broke from through the defence and produced a great save from the keeper. Chester would go on to regret this soon after as Altrincham doubled their advantage, a fast-flowing move saw the ball played through and the striker got there ahead of Duran to make it 2-0.
The Blues were really up against it now but we're still applying the pressure, Lever and Pasco both having chances denied by the keeper who had been excellent all game.
As the game drew to a close there was still chance for Amy Broomhead to just fire wide of the post, just one of them days for Chester. A first home loss of the season was confirmed at full time on a frustrating afternoon for the Seals.
Switch of formation
For this game manager, Martin Fitzsimons tinkered a bit with the formation allowing Sarah Gill to drop back further into midfield to help steady the ship at the defence.
Super-sub Amy Broomhead was rewarded for her two goals last weekend against Wythenshawe with a start, all though she was not on the scoresheet it was a very good performance from Chester's number 14.
Final Third
Too many balls in the final third went astray and didn't find a target with the wind playing a huge part in this going forward, on quite a few occasions if the ball was hit with just a little less power the striker was through on the goal.
Dealing with the weather is something that Chester will just have to take on the chin, move on and regroup for next week.
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