Match ends, Chester FC 0, Tranmere Rovers 1.
ChesterChester0TranmereTranmere Rovers1
James Norwood's second-half penalty earned Tranmere a derby win at Chester.
The visitors were awarded a 69th-minute spot-kick when Johnny Hunt fouled Adam Mekki in the area, allowing Norwood to confidently despatch from 12 yards.
Rovers, who move up to fourth in the National League, were good value for their win, being rarely troubled.
Tranmere's players thought they should have been awarded a second penalty in injury time when Steven Jennings' shot struck the arm of Ben Heneghan.
Chester, who started the game playing three at the back, were disrupted by the early blow of losing captain Ian Sharps, playing against his first club, with a hamstring injury.
Steve Burr's side stay 15th, but are now only six points clear of trouble, going into successive home games against the two sides immediately above them, Bromley and Aldershot.
Chester manager Steve Burr told BBC Radio Merseyside:
"We were dealt a terrible blow after just 10 minutes when we lost Ian Sharps because I then had to rearrange the whole team.
"We stuck Sam Hughes at right-back because I thought playing 4-4-2 would be better, but I never want to see those situations happen.
"Ian was probably the worst player we could have lost because of having to rearrange. But I thought Sam did really well. He's only young and still learning the game."
Line-ups
Chester
Formation 3-5-2
- 13Thompson
- 26Lloyd
- 22Heneghan
- 17Astles
- 10Rooney
- 23AlabiBooked at 45mins
- 11Chapell
- 12Hughes
- 4O'BrienSubstituted forMahonat 57'minutes
- 9HannahBooked at 59minsSubstituted forBellat 80'minutes
- 6SharpsSubstituted forHuntat 9'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Worsnop
- 2Higgins
- 3Hunt
- 7Mahon
- 24Bell
Tranmere
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Davies
- 7Vaughan
- 12Ihiekwe
- 17Mekki
- 3RidehalghBooked at 62mins
- 24McNulty
- 4Jennings
- 20Hughes
- 29HigdonBooked at 51minsSubstituted forTaylor-Fletcherat 81'minutes
- 23KirbySubstituted forMackrethat 74'minutes
- 10NorwoodBooked at 90mins
Substitutes
- 9Taylor-Fletcher
- 13Turner
- 14Mackreth
- 15Riley
- 19Margetts
- Referee:
- Ryan Johnson
- Attendance:
- 3,494
Match Stats
Home TeamChesterAway TeamTranmere
- Possession
- Home50%
- Away50%
- Shots
- Home4
- Away12
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away5
- Corners
- Home2
- Away9
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away15
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Chester FC 0, Tranmere Rovers 1.
Post update
Corner, Tranmere Rovers.
Booking
James Norwood (Tranmere Rovers) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Gary Taylor-Fletcher (Tranmere Rovers).
Post update
Ben Heneghan (Chester FC) wins a free kick.
Post update
Attempt missed. Jordan Chapell (Chester FC) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
Post update
Attempt missed. James Norwood (Tranmere Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left from a direct free kick.
Post update
Hand ball by Craig Mahon (Chester FC).
Post update
Attempt missed. Gary Taylor-Fletcher (Tranmere Rovers) header from the right side of the six yard box misses to the left. Assisted by Adam Mekki.
Post update
Corner, Tranmere Rovers.
Post update
Foul by Gary Taylor-Fletcher (Tranmere Rovers).
Post update
Craig Mahon (Chester FC) wins a free kick.
Substitution
Substitution, Tranmere Rovers. Gary Taylor-Fletcher replaces Michael Higdon.
Substitution
Substitution, Chester FC. Nyal Bell replaces Ross Hannah.
Post update
Attempt saved. Ross Hannah (Chester FC) left footed shot from outside the box is saved.
Post update
Foul by Michael Ihiekwe (Tranmere Rovers).
Post update
James Alabi (Chester FC) wins a free kick.
Substitution
Substitution, Tranmere Rovers. Jack Mackreth replaces Jake Kirby.
Post update
Attempt saved. Jake Kirby (Tranmere Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box is saved.
