BOSS Lee Sinnott could barely contain his anger as Altrincham blew the chance to overtake Chester with one of their worst performances of the season at The J.Davidson Stadium on Tuesday night.

An unbeaten run spanning four National League games was meekly surrendered, as Chester missed a second-half penalty but still eased their way to a comfortable 3-0 win.

To make matters worse, midfielder Simon Richman hobbled off in the first half and has had an X-ray that is expected to confirm he has broken a bone in his foot.

"I’m aghast at the performance, but I have to be careful with what I say," said Sinnott.

"People outside the dressing room will probably criticise me, because the easiest thing would be to come out all guns blazing and spitting fire.

"I’m fighting hard not to do that after 95 minutes that I wouldn’t even call a performance.

"I’m being guarded, because I don’t want to go down the path of doing something that wouldn’t exactly be constructive moving forward, like venting my spleen.

"The hardest thing for me at the moment is not to blow my top, but I have to look after individuals and the squad."

Alty face another side in the lower reaches, Guiseley, at The J.Davidson Stadium on Saturday, and Sinnott added:

"I’ve told the players the Chester game has to be put in a compartment and stored away, because our focus now has to be on working towards Saturday.

"It’s a test for them now. It’s a man’s game, individually and collectively.

"Once they walk over that white line, they have to show what they are made of.

"It will be a test on Saturday, so what are they going to do about it? Shy away or confront it head-on and push their chests out?

"That’s what was missing against Chester. You can’t dress it up any other way.

"You have to be a bit guarded and protective towards them, but the supporters could see it.

"With 14 games to go, it’s time for rolling up sleeves and standing up to be counted."