Chester were backed by a large away following, accounting for around half the crowd, as the new season got underway at the Impact Arena. It was the home side that started on the front foot with debutant Harry Tyrer in goal making a fine save to deny Dayle Southwell in the opening five minutes.

Down the other end, moments away, Kurt Willoughby found himself in a one-on-one with Alfreton goalkeeper George Willis who did well to deny the Blues striker. On 17 minutes Chester opened the scoring as Willoughby glanced home a perfect incoming left wing cross from Declan Weeks.

The Blues were pegged back as summer signing Tom Denton headed home from close range following Dwayne Wiley’s header back across goal following a corner.

Chester were forced into a change as Kevin Roberts was taken off with an injury to be replaced by loans signing Lewis Coulton. Willoughby almost added a third just before the break but he was inches away form connecting to Kole Hall’s cross.

Substitute Lewis Whitham went close for the home side, firing over in the 75th minute and the same played also missed from close range finding himself through with just Tyrer to beat.

The home pressure finally paid off in the second minute of added time as Denton headed an inswinging cross goalwards. Tyrer made a save on the line only for the assistant referee to adjudge the ball had crossed the line.