Moor Green's impressive climb away from bottom spot in the Dr Martens Premier will serve as little consolation to City following another away defeat, though it might lend faith that Steve Mosely's men can find a way out of another fine mess they've got themselves into.

The Brum-based hosts were bottom of the table back in November, before embarking on an eight-match unbeaten run to take them to within one place of the holy grail - 13th position, and qualification for next season's Conference South.

Indeed, 'Green are only seven points off of 3rd place, and they justified their advance up the league table with a workmanlike performance against a pretty clueless City.

In the ascendancy, the hosts looked to have won a penalty on 22 minutes when Ian Wiles scythed into Peter Faulds, who chose to remain on his feet rather than fall, prompting referee Mr Farries to wave play on. (There's no room for honesty in the non-league game).

Any Chelmsford fans in the burger bar queue on 25 minutes would have missed the only justifiable reason to travel to middle-class Birmingham on a cold January afternoon - Gary Cross' powerful drive from the edge of the box bringing a fine stop from Adam Rachel.

Because after that it was all Moor Green, enjoying the luxury of a smooth playing surface and always a yard quicker than the visitors.

Livewire frontman Jai Stanley shot wide just before half-time, though that air of inevitability that had long lingered around Moor Green's peculiar arena, was confirmed just after the restart when Daire Doyle crossed for Neil Davis to sweep the ball past Jonathan Venter, deputising for the injured Paul Nicholls.

Chelmsford, not appearing overtly worried, did little to step up the pace, and when they did get in behind the hosts rearguard, Steve Butterworth lost his nerve and passed rather than try an attempt at goal.

Darkness descended, the burger bar closed early, and time ticked away on both this fixture, and very probably Chelmsford's season.

1-0 Moor Green.