As far as derby wins go, this was a good one.
Goals from John Rooney, Tom Shaw and Kane Richards cancelled out a Dominic Vose penalty and a late Connor Jennings strike as the Blues dominated their cross-border rivals and restored English pride following last weekend's Rugby World Cup disappoinment.
And it was no less than Chester deserved as they bossed Gary Mills' promotion-chasing Wrexham from start to finish with a display of neat attacking football, defensive steel and commitment.
Blues boss Steve Burr opted for a front three of new signing James Roberts, Ross Hannah and Craig Hobson and the Blues looked far more dangerous going forward as a result.
Roberts, who signed on loan from Oxford United on Thursday, almost made himself an instant derby hero on 24 minutes when he weaved into the box but saw his 12 yard effort dragged wide.
But he played a key role in handing the Blues a 35th-minute lead on a mazy run before being felled 30 yards from goal.
And with the ball in a central position there was only one thing that was going through Rooney's mind.
He dispatched a stunning strike that left Wrexham keeper Cameron Belford with no chance and silenced the travelling brigade of Dragons fans.
But the visitors hit back just four minutes later when, having missed some gilt-edged chances just prior, were awarded a penalty after Blaine Hudson was adjudged to have been felled by Ben Heneghan. And Vose stepped up to calmly stroke the ball past Worsnop.
Chester restored the lead on 56 minutes when a neat passage of play saw Rooney involved once more, with the midfielder feeding the ball through to Tom Shaw who advanced and side-footed the ball past Belford, much to the delight of the home fans.
And it was 3-1 on 69 minutes when substitute Richards, arguably the smallest player on the pitch, popped up at the far post to nod a Hannah cross home for his first ever goal for the club.
Jennings ensured a nervy ending when he bundled home from close range deep into injury time but the Blues held on for a precious three points and the all of the bragging rights.
Talking points
James Roberts' debut:
The young striker made a positive impression for the Blues and was a constant menace going forward.
Very much in the Matty Hughes mould, it was Roberts' trickery that won the freekick for Rooney to open the scoring.
His addition looks to be a shrewd move.
Ben Heneghan in the holding role:
Heneghan had a horror show against Bromley but was muchimproved against the Dragons.
Kay and Sharps took the two centre-back slots but Heneghan, in the absence of Luke George, did a decent job of breaking up play, although a fully fit George would have bossed the midfield battle against a lightweight Wrexham middle.
Has the derby lost its passion:
On this evidence, that would be a resounding no.
A game full of commitment and passion that had some great goals and enterprising play.
While the bubble match may have dimmed its light slightly, it was a game fitting of such an occasion.
Now, if we could just get rid of that bubble...
Verdict
While it may not have had the drama of Heneghan's last minute winner in the 21 win last season, this was one of the best derby performances by the Blues in recent memory.
It was a performance full of passion and commitment which saw the Blues marry their attacking endeavours with an end product.
Roberts looked dangerous, there was far more midfield bite and the defensive lapses of recent weeks were nowhere to be seen.
The task now is to make sure that they can kick on from this.
Chester FC: Worsnop; Higgins, Kay, Heneghan, Sharps, Hunt; Shaw, Rooney; Hannah, Roberts (Chapell 69), Hobson (Richards 46).
Subs: Forth (GK); Hughes, Thomson.
Bookings: Hannah, Worsnop
Wrexham AFC : Belford; Vidal, Newton, Smith, Hudson; Vose, Jennings, Moke (York 65), Evans; Quigley (Carrington 69), Nolan (Smith 65).
Subs: Jackson, White.
Bookings: Nolan
Referee: Ian Hussin
Attendance: 3,741
