CHESTER extended their unbeaten home run to 23 games as they cruised into the FA Trophy third qualifying round at the expense of their league rivals.

Top-scorer Matty McGinn’s sixth successful penalty of the season and a simple Robbie Booth finish ensured the Blues returned to winning ways and took another step on the road to Wembley.

The pre-match talk at the Exacta Stadium was club record signing Jamie Rainford’s departure to FC Halifax Town.

The striker, who has made comments on social networking site Facebook which have not gone down well with Chester fans, has been allowed to join the Shaymen on a one-month loan – in spite of the fact Michael Wilde is facing another spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

But Rainford’s exit has allowed Blues boss Neil Young to bring in former TNS, Charlton Athletic and Wrexham winger Luke Holden on a short-term deal from Droylsden.

The 22-year-old had to settle for a place on the bench, but Young did make two changes to the side which went down to defeat at Bradford Park Avenue on Wednesday as Christian Smith and Jerome Wright came in for Alex Brown and Iain Howard.

Both took their chance to impress although Wright was guilty of a miss-of-the season contender in an evenly-fought first half.

Chris Simm’s fierce angled drive was parried by Adam Alcock across his goal-line and into the path of the onrushing winger. But from just two yards out and with the goal at his mercy, Wright lost his footing and his effort went wide.

Simm was a constant threat to the Stafford defence and he could count himself desperately unlucky when he raced down the left before cutting inside and curling a delightful shot just past the post.

The visitors, who had gone close early on through Sean Kinsella, would have held out until the break had it not been for a needless error by Dan Skelton in first-half injury-time.

The left-back’s woefully under-hit back pass allowed Simm a clear run on goal. The striker advanced before tumbling under the challenge of Alcock.

The goalkeeper claimed Simm had dived but left-back McGinn showed no remorse as he clinically converted the resulting penalty to take his tally for the term up to eight.

The advantage was doubled five minutes after the restart.

Wright collected a slide-rule pass from the excellent Smith and burst into the box. Athough his attempt was well saved by Alcock, Simm nudged the rebound to Booth to tap in his third goal of the campaign.

Stafford responded strongly and Kevin Street had a big penalty appeal turned down after a Joe Rogers cross-shot came back off the bar.

But Chester weathered the storm and, with new boy Holden making a lively appearance off the bench, Michael Powell and substitute Howard nearly made it three.

Chester: Danby, Brownhill, Horan, Taylor, McGinn, Booth (Baynes 73), Powell, Smith, Wright (Holden 58), Simm (Howard 82), McNeil. Subs: Brown, Judge.

Booked: Simm, Powell, Smith, McGinn.

Goals: McGinn 45, Booth 50.

Stafford: Alcock, Rogers, George, Espley, Skelton (Maguire 82), Heler, Blackhurst, Morton (Nagington 58), Street (Shotton 77), Thompson, Kinsella. Subs: Jones, Read.

Booked: Morton, Alcock, Skelton.

Referee: Jonathan Hunt (Liverpool).

Attendance: 1,551.