Two individual defensive errors and two late glaring misses at the other end were the reasons why City returned pointless from a wet and muddy Homelands on Tuesday evening.

They deserved at least a point for all their endeavour, particularly for a much improved second half display, but without the influential Ian Cambridge (suspended), and a real ball winner in midfield, they were lacking at times against a competitive home side.

It started badly for City when John Girling gave away an unnecessary penalty in the 15th minute and White lashed the spot kick into the net, despite a heroic attempt by City goalkeeper Paul Catley.

Ashford made all the early running and Catley twice pulled off fine saves while City's only worthwhile reply was a long range effort by Shane Wardley, who moments before the break, had kicked a goalbound shot off the City goal line.

City started the second half much better and good efforts from Daniel Reeve and Mark Greatorex were denied by home keeper Radford, but on 61 minutes, John Girling made amends for his earlier misdemeanour by driving the ball home after good work by Tesfaye Bramble.

With City looking to be in control they were again caught out by trying to play feet football from the back in the atrocious conditions, and young Wardley lost the ball, allowing Payne to escape and drive the ball past the stranded Catley.

This was a blow to City only eight minutes after they drawn level against a home side, that included former West Ham United star Paul Allen, that was now looking decidedly ragged.

In the 74th minute Bramble saw his shot brush the outside of a post, and then he pushed the ball through Radford's legs, only to see it hold up in the mud and the grateful custodian retrieved the ball on the goal line.

Two minutes from time Greatorex could have equalised when he broke through the defence but Radford again pulled off a daring save at his feet and with it went the last opportunity for City to salvage a draw.

Chelmsford City: Catley; B Girling, Reeve, J Girling, Wardley; Greatorex, Lakin, Sutton, Berquez; Strong (Yamazaki) and Bramble. Unused substitutes:: Shirley and Coburn.

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