Injuries, suspension and unavailability saw United short of no less than eight regular members of their first team squad, with five changes coming to the starting XI from last week’s defeat to East Preston.
Andy Corrigan and Jason Taylor returned the side along with Simon Catt, whose last appearance in a United shirt came in March 2013.
The recently re-signed Wade Eason took his place upfront while there a debut for Alex Smalldone at left back.
Despite the changes, United got off to the best possible start with a goal inside the opening five minutes.
A perfectly weighted through ball from Wes Tate split the visiting defence and was met by the equally perfectly timed angled run of Charlie Osborne, who showed confidence beyond his years to steer the ball into the back of the net.
United saw much of the play in the Chichester half during the first 45 minutes, but failed to fully build on their promising opening as they couldn’t capitalise on their half-chances.
United were dealt a blow midway into the second half when Dan Pollard had to be carried off after falling heavily on his ankle when challenging Chichester striker Joe Gromet in the air.
Two minutes after Pollard’s premature departure, Chichester took advantage of United’s makeshift defence to draw level as Dan Hegarty was left unmarked and duly despatched the ball past Russ Tanner.
The goal visibly deflated United who had shown great endeavour without much reward, but worse was to come as just six minutes later Alex Ansa got in behind the United defence to slide the ball across Tanner for Chichester’s second of the afternoon.
Kele Buay and Dave Smart were introduced with 15 minutes to play in an effort to change the game and Buay came centimetres from equalising deep into time added on.
Corrigan drilled a low cross in from the right by-line which went straight through the hands of Chichester ‘keeper Ender and the ball fell to Buay who was denied by a covering defender on the goaline. From the resulting rebound, Catt could only fire wide under pressure from two defenders as United’s search for a league win goes on
United drop to 12th in the Macron Store SCFL Division One after the defeat, but can gain an element of revenge on Tuesday night as Chichester City return to The Oval in the Peter Bentley League Cup Third Round (7:45)