John Rooney's first-half penalty proved the difference as Chester FC recorded a deserved 1-0 win at Aldershot Town.

Rooney slotted home his 11th goal of the campaign from the spot on 14 minutes after Oli McBurnie had been felled inside the penalty area.

It was no more than Chester merited, controlling the opening 45 minutes and holding solid when the hosts committed more and more men forward late on.

Consecutive victories means the Blues are two thirds of the way to meeting Steve Burr's challenge of nine points from the last three matches and have the chance to sign off on a high note at home to Nuneaton in the final game.

A little over 12 months ago this was a fixture between two sides battling relegation but there were no such worries this time with both clubs assured of another season in the division.

Chester had made the greater progress made and travelled south in positive mood having put a poor run behind them with a 3-1 defeat of Dover Athletic.

Steve Burr's team showed one change with Michael Kay replacing Ben Heneghan, who dropped to the bench. Craig Mahon came through a pre-match fitness test and Craig Hobson continued alongside McBurnie up front.

Aldershot sacked manager Andy Scott mid-season and gave the role to veteran defender Chris Barker, who had guided the Shots clear of the bottom four.

Barker made three changes from a 1-1 draw at Braintree Town with recalls for Josh Scott and Mark Molesley, and Cheye Alexander given his first start.

Both sides began brightly on a pristine pitch bathed in sunshine with the Blues having the game's first chance on 44 seconds, Mahon forcing Phil Smith into action with a low shot from 20 yards.

Aldershot responded with Tristan Plummer fizzing a shot across the face of goal and leading scorer Brett Williams having a shot blocked by Kieran Charnock.

Chester took the lead on 14 minutes when McBurnie outpaced a limping Barker and Jordan Roberts brought the him down, giving referee Nigel Lugg a simple penalty decision.

Rooney converted the spot kick with confidence, rolling the ball to Smith's left as the keeper dived to his right to make the score 1-0.

Aldershot regrouped and should have levelled on 22 minutes when Jon Worsnop spilled Jordan Roberts' free-kick but Williams fired the rebound into the side-netting under pressure.

It was entertaining stuff with chances at either end and the Blues came close to getting a second in the 26th minute. Hobson shook off Roberts and found McBurnie with his pull back and after a scramble Barker was in the right place to block on the line.

McBurnie was proving a handful for the Shots back four and with Rooney dictating the game in midfield, the Blues probably should have gone into half-time further ahead.

Hobson might have done better with a couple of headers and Rooney sliced a volley wide with the Shots offering little in return as the half ended 1-0.

The hosts started the second-half with more purpose but almost found themselves two down on 48 minutes when Mahon's cross found Matty Hughes, who headed straight at Smith from point-blank range.

Smith was much busier than Worsnop at the opposite end, saving from Hughes again and Hobson as the Blues chased a second goal.

Aldershot kept on pumping the ball into Williams but he was getting little change out of Charnock and Kay, and the frustration began to grow among the home supporters.

Plummer looked the best hope for the Shots and on 67 minutes he broke clear and teed up Roberts but he sliced well wider under Ryan Higgins' challenge.

Sam Hatton landed a shot-cross on the roof of the net as the home side's search for an equaliser became more desperate.

Burr introduced George Thomson and Tom Peers with 13 minutes remaining and the Blues dropped an extra man into midfield to close the game out.

Aldershot's balls forward got longer and more hopeful as the clock ran down but Chester's back four stood strong and kept shooting chances to a minimum.

Worsnop kept hold of Mark Molesley's powerful drive with five minutes left before sub Andre McCollin headed straight at the keeper in time added on and that was the final chance as the Blues celebrated another three points.

Chester FC: Worsnop, Higgins, Kay, Charnock, Roberts, Mahon (Thomson 77), Rooney, Abbott, Hughes (Peers 77), Hobson (Winn 90), McBurnie.

Subs: Viscosi, Heneghan.

Goal: Rooney 14 (pen).

Booked: Kay, Abbott.

Aldershot Town: Smith, Alexander (Rasulo 77), McGinty, Barker, Roberts, Hatton, Molesley, Scott (Richards 58), Plummer, Jarvis (McCollin 72), Williams.

Subs: Thomas, Welch.

Booked: Williams.

Referee: Nigel Lugg (Chipstead)

Attendance: 1,953.