CHESTER CITY gave their Coca-Cola League Two survival hopes a massive boost with this hard-fought victory, in a match that rarely rose above the ordinary.

City weren't at the races in the first half and were fortunate to only by a Colin Kazim-Richards goal behind at the break.

But City came out with more commitment in the second period and two goals from Ryan Lowe on his home debut ensured the three valuable points.

The visitors were quickest out of the blocks. Porter, who is a target for Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers, was just wide with a close-range effort and Shakes brought out a low save from Mackenzie.

Mackenzie was quickly into the action soon after when he parried a thunderbolt from Kazim-Richards. But after 12 minutes Kazim-Richards gave the visitors the lead after mistake by the City keeper.

A back pass should have been dealt with better by the Mackenzie but his clearance only went 20 yards and was pounced on by Kazim-Richards, who slammed the ball into the untended net.

Bury had further chances with Whalley slicing an effort wide from 10 yards and Porter narrowly wide with a shot from 18 yards.

Chester made a change at the start of the second period, bringing on the experienced Darren Edmondson for Carl Regan and the move gave Rush's side more solidity.

There was a nasty clash of heads between Michael Branch and Bury's Brian Barry-Murphy just after the start of the period, which held up play for four minutes.

After the hold-up, Chester gained the ascendancy for the first time in the match and Robbie Foy shot inches wide with a snap shot.

Chester equalised with their first shot on target after 59 minutes. A mix-up in the Bury midfield was seized upon by Lowe, who took the ball on before drilling it low into the corner of the net from 20 yards.

Eleven minutes later Lowe doubled his tally following a dreadful blunder by the visiting defence.

Nicholas launched a long throw-in into the Bury area, Challinor and Kennedy allowed the ball to go over the defensive unit and the unmarked Lowe had a simple job to score from six yards at the far post.

Both sides had chances towards the end of the game, Drummond and Bolland going close with head-ers while at the other end former City player David Flitcroft flashed an effort narrowly over the Chester bar.

City manager Rush said: "I thought Bury deserved a draw. It was always going to be a tight game and it is always difficult when you've played two games in four days. In the second half we dug in well, and Ryan Lowe took his goals particularly well.

"Our intention always was to just worry about our own performances and, despite results elsewhere going our way, all I'm concerned about is the results of Chester City."

CHESTER CITY: Mackenzie, Regan (Edmondson 46), Hope, Bol-land, Nicholas, Drummond, Carden, Davies, Branch, Foy, Lowe (Sestanovich 85). Subs: M Brown, O'Neill, Hessey.

BURY: Garner, Whalley, Kennedy, Kazim-Richards, Scott, Barry-Murphy, Mattis, Flitcroft, Challinor, Porter, Shakes (Boshell 65). Subs: Collinge, Buchannan, Barrow, Cartledge.

REFEREE: Matt Messias (York). ATT: 3,107.