ROBBIE BOOTH was the hero as Chester won the battle of the top two.
The former Southport winger struck 10 minutes after the break to hand his table-topping side the win over second-placed Chorley.
Three points at Victory Park extends Chester’s lead at the summit of the Evo-Stik First Division North to nine points.
Keeping the pressure on Neil Young’s men are Skelmersdale United who moved into fourth position with a 4-0 win over Mossley. A goal on the stroke of half-time by Ryan Wade set Tommy Lawson’s men on their way before further strikes from Matty McGinn (65), Chris Almond (87) and another from Wade (71) sealed the win.
At the other end of the division, Cammell Laird grabbed a vital win in their bid to avoid the drop when beating Durham City 4-2.
Despite being behind 2-1 early in the second half after Jordan Evason’s 24th minute opener had been cancelled out, Danny Andrews (59 and 87pen) and Mark Stewart (72) earned Tony Sullivan’s men the win.
The Kirklands club leapfrog Prescot Cables who lost 2-1 at home to Witton Albion.
Dave McPherson handed the visitors a 2-0 lead and despite Lee Madin’s 78th minute strike, Cables were unable to pull level.
Elsewhere in the league, Warrington Town’s match at Harrogate Railway Athletic was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
In the Vodkat Premier Division, Bootle romped to a fine win over Congleton Town.
The 4-0 victory moves the Bucks to within one point of Congleton.
Also in the division, there was a 2-1 win for St Helens Town at home to Ashton Athletic as Runcorn Town thumped Oldham Borough 6-0 in the First Division to maintain the pressure on leaders AFC Blackpool.
