A towering header by ex-Macclesfield striker John Murphy and an exquisite 30 yard Lawrence Wilson free kick sunk the Silkmen this afternoon.

Terry Dunfield pulled one back after the break and Adam Murray hit a post at the death but the visitors clung on to inflict Macc's second successive 2-1 home defeat.

Chester had few chances despite having most of the ball early on and it was the home side who should have gone ahead.  Levi Reid sliced over when found by Danny Thomas' pass and minutes later Murray's brilliant ball allowed Reid to cross from the right for Francis Green to blast over after Martin Gritton failed to turn the ball in from close range.

Murphy struck on 12 minutes, jumping highest at the near post to power a header down into the bottom corner giving the visitors the lead with their first real chance.  The big striker became a fans favourite at the Moss Rose after his equaliser at Stamford Bridge and will have gained even more respect for refusing to celebrate a goal against his former side.

John Murphy - The big man opened the scoring with a pinpoint header

Green's 20 yard snapshot forced John Danby into a fine save and the ex-Boston man was denied again after half an hour when he drilled an effort at the keeper's legs.

Macc began to move up a gear as the chances came and went but it was Chester who extended their advantage four minutes before the interval.

Whistle-happy referee Lee Mason awarded a free kick 30 yards out after a dubious foul on Kevin Ellison, but there was nothing dubious about Wilson's thunderbolt which arrowed into the top corner with Tommy Lee well beaten.

Levi Reid wasted another good opportunity at the end of the half, firing straight into the keeper's arms when Kevin McIntyre's cross dropped to him at the back post.

Macc came out all guns blazing in the second period - forcing a string of five corners as City became camped in their own area.  Firstly Green's volley was blocked by what appeared to be the arm of a defender, then McNulty's shot was forced wide and a Thomas volley at the far post was expertly turned over the bar as it looked like a goal would never come.

However it was game on after 53 minutes when Dunfield curled home a 20 yard free kick when Thomas was pushed to the ground.

The former Manchester City trainee had another chance from a similar position soon afterwards but this time his shot drifted into the keeper's arms for an easy take.

Thomas began to have more of an influence on the game as the half wore on, his cross from the left fell to Levi Reid who saw his deflected effort fly well over.

Simon Wiles replaced Levi Reid with around 20 minutes remaining and his cross found Thomas at the near post but the winger couldn't get enough power on his header to trouble Danby.

Danny Thomas - Impressive on the ball in the second half

A flowing move down the right involved Thomas showing off his repertoire of tricks before being scythed down just outside the box as he surged past his man.  Simon Marples was booked for the challenge but Chester weren't punished further as the set piece was wasted.

Murray was guilty of missing a great chance with ten minutes to go when he placed a shot a few yards wide following Gritton's flick-on.

Gareth Evans replaced Gritton and Dave Morley was thrown on to add some height in attack as Macc desperately searched for an equaliser.

Dunfield failed to turn home Wiles' low cross after he had skinned his man and in the dying seconds of injury time Murray struck the outside of the post with the keeper beaten.

Seconds later the referee drew to a close a disappointing game for Macc, who come away with nothing after dominating for the majority of the match and creating enough chances to win three games.

Andy Brinkhurst