CAPTAIN George Horan scored an extra-time winner as the Blues progressed to the Cheshire Senior Cup semi-finals with a thoroughly deserved victory over their Football League opponents.

The runaway Blue Square Bet North leaders, watched by former Liverpool and Manchester United striker Michael Owen, should have been in front long before Horan produced a moment of magic in the 100th minute.

Chester's reward is a last-four tie at home to lower-league Witton Albion.

Tranmere fielded a completely different side to the one which started their 1-0 loss to Yeovil Town on Saturday.

However the team selected by coach Shaun Garnett did contain six players who have played in League One this season including teenage striker Cole Stockton, a one-time loan target for Neil Young.

Blues boss Young, a friend of Garnett’s, expected to face strong opposition.

He responded by making just three changes to the side that lined-up for the vital league victory over Gainsborough Trinity last Wednesday.

Back-up goalkeeper Martin Fearon – who, if fit, will play in all of Chester’s Cheshire Senior Cup games – came in for John Danby while Ashley Williams and Marc Williams replaced Nathan Turner and Nathan Jarman.

It was the latter Williams, striker Marc, who went closest to opening the scoring in a first half controlled for long periods by the Blues.

Tony Gray chased down a lost cause, beating Michael Kay to the ball and forcing Jason Mooney to save his close-range attempt.

The ball rebounded to Marc Williams, whose first-time effort was heading in until the 6ft 9in Mooney got back across his goal to keep it out.

The giant keeper was not tested again before the break but it was not for the lack of trying from the diligent hosts.

They would have taken the lead had Rovers right-back Chris Lynskey not made a brave block to deny Marc Williams a certain goal.

The former Wrexham frontman then played a delightful pass over the top for Antoni Sarcevic.

Sarcevic used his power and pace to pull away from the Tranmere defence but his measured strike landed the wrong side of the upright.

Matty McGinn wasted an equally good opportunity five minutes after the restart.

Dave Hankin, who for the second match running started at right-back, stood up a perfect cross for McGinn but the midfielder’s header failed to trouble Mooney.

It was not until midway through the second half that the visitors finally tested Fearon, who comfortably collected a long-range Stockton shot.

Moments later Wes Baynes made a vital clearance to prevent James Joyce from turning in a David Amoo cross driven low across the box.

Chester, whose unbeaten home run now stands at 30 games, responded with a lightning fast counter attack which ended with man-of-the-match Marc Williams controlling an incisive pass from namesake Danny Williams and firing just past the post.

Marc Williams could count himself unlucky but Iain Howard should have done better than shoot straight at Mooney after Gray found the substitute in space, although in his defence it was his first touch since coming on.

Howard’s 90th-minute miss meant extra-time was required.

Ten minutes into the opening period, the Blues broke the deadlock.

A corner was cleared as far as Howard.

His chipped cross broke to Horan in the box and the centre-back showed the footwork of a forward, a sharp turn being followed by a low drive that took a deflection on its way into the net.

Another defender, sub Dom Collins, should have made the match safe but he blazed over with the goal at his mercy after he played a one-two with Marc Williams.

Gray, impressive again, went closer in the 118th minute when his clever turn and chip came back off the bar.

Chester: Fearon, Hankin, Horan, Linwood, D Williams, Baynes (Collins 91), A Williams, Sarcevic, McGinn (Howard 90), M Williams, Gray (Peers 119). Subs: Danby, Miller.

Goal: Horan 100.

Tranmere: Mooney, Lynskey, Phillips, Kay, Black, Conchie, Harrison, Kirby, Joyce, Stockton, Amoo. Subs: Durnin, Jones, Beech, Dunne, Davies.

Booked: Phillips, Black.

Referee: John Dowd (Wirral).

Attendance: 820.