THE result of this one sided match was incidental for the 55 long-suffering City supporters who made the trip to Field Mill, many of whom fear that this may well have been the final game in City’s history.

Chester face a winding up petition brought by HM Revenue and Customs on Wednesday, and if £26,000 can’t be found or an acceptable and believable repayment plan reached the Deva Stadium outfit will be liquidated.

City, who it is understood couldn’t afford to pay for a temporary physiotherapist to assist on Saturday, still owe two month’s wages to their players and staff, while a host of other invoices remain outstanding.

With the club in apparent fiscal meltdown it is difficult to comprehend how the current ownership will be able to stump up the money to the taxman, but City’s new director of football Morrell Maison is remaining upbeat about the club’s chances on Wednesday.

He said: “I am confident things will be sorted with the winding up order this week. I am not in control of the situation, I am as confident as I can be without being in control. Assurances have been given and negotiations and discussions are going on.”

Maison did reveal that the club’s owners (the Vaughan family) did receive a financial offer for City last week, but they turned it down because the offer didn’t meet their valuation.

Saturday’s defeat at Mansfield could easily have been heavier, Chester’s youthful side were outclassed in practically every department, and better Conference sides than the Stags may well have reached double figures.

The home side were 3-0 up at half-time through two headed goals from centre-half Luke Jones, and an own goal from Ben Jones. Jake Speight wrapped things up with a 15-yard strike 10 minutes from time.

CHESTER: Danby , Rule, Roberts, Kelly, Lea, Wilkinson, Davidson, Meynell, Coulter, Ellams, B.Jones: Subs: Murphy, Walker, Freeman, Maxwell .

REFEREE: Billy Khalib (Sunderland)

ATT: 2,882.