Chester FC stole the most dramatic of wins at Moss Rose with Craig Hobson's last-gasp strike leaving Macclesfield Town shellshocked.

Macc looked to have taken the points thanks to Danny Whitehead's strike on 53 minutes, punishing poor defending from an out-of-sorts Blues.

John Rooney and substitute George Thomson had attempts cleared off the line but Chester had all but run out of ideas with a minute left on the clock.

However, replacement Tom Peers stabbed home Rooney's free-kick in the final stages and a point would have been a fine result in the circumstances.

But that wasn't the end and in the fourth and final minute of time added on, Hobson brought a long pass under control, turned and rifled a shot into the bottom corner to send the 800 travelling Chester fans wild with delight and secure a third win of the season.

The Blues had started well enough with half-chances for Hobson and Jordan Chapell, but the hosts soon got into the game with Jon Worsnop saving from Whitehead and Danny Whitaker.

Macc crammed the midfield without the ball, starving the Blues of space and forced them into misplacing passes in a disappointing 45 minutes.

Chester handled the Silkmen's limited threat with ease, and it was the visitors who looked the more capable of making something happen and a late flourish offered hope with Mahon and Rooney splitting Macc open, but the latter couldn't get his shot off and the half ended goalless.

Macc came out with more intent in the second period and were rewarded with the opener on 53 minutes when Chester's defence failed to deal with a simple ball over the top and Whitaker teed up Whitehead, who struck the ball into the far corner of the net.

The hosts turned up the heat having taken the lead and the Blues found themselves on the ropes for a spell, and that was the cue for a double change as Thomson and Kane Richards came on with an hour gone.

Rooney went close to finding an equaliser with a trademark free-kick, which beat the wall but not a combination of Branagan and the defender on the line.

Another crucial intervention then denied Thomson, who stretched well to guide the ball beyond Branagan only for Neill Byrne to acrobatically keep his shot from crossing the line.

Macc were more than content to sit on the lead and invited the Blues onto them, and paid the ultimate price in an incredible finale to a game that would have otherwise been consigned to the file marked one to forget.

Talking points

Shortage of pace: In the first-half, there was an almost pedestrian feel about Chester's attacks. Burr urged his team to liven up but it never quite happened. Hannah is not an out-and-out speed merchant, but he covers the ground quickly and his intelligent movement opens up space for others. Hobson is a different kind of forward and, while he offers an aerial outlet, without Hannah to drag defenders or pull them out of position, the Blues laboured until the introductions of Richards and Thomson, which might be something to think about for Monday.

Never write off the Blues: There are times when Burr's insistence on chasing games until the end has led to Chester being on the end of a hiding. But there are occasions when that refusal to throw in the towel will lead to rewards, and there's no doubt he's instilled a tremendous spirit and desire in his squad.

Match facts

Chester FC: Worsnop, Higgins, Kay, Sharps, Hunt, George, Shaw (Thomson 60), Rooney, Chapell (Richards 60), Hobson, Mahon (Peers 78).

Subs: Forth, Tonge.

Goals: Peers 90, Hobson 90.

Booked: Higgins.

Macclesfield Town: Branagan, Halls, Byrne, Pilkington, Diagne, Lewis, Rowe (Turnbull 80), Whitehead, Whitaker, Dennis (Holroyd 73), Sampson.

Subs: Bailey-Jones, Cowan, Jalal.

Goal: Whitehead 53.

Booked: Lewis, Halls.

Referee: Adrian Holmes (Castleford)

Attendance: 2,062.

Star man: Craig Hobson.

Verdict

With a swing of Craig Hobson's left boot, the Blues had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

Macclesfield will feel aggrieved but on the balance of the game John Askey would be hard pressed to make a strong case for his team deserving the points.

Chester were someway below their best but still created more chances and clearer opportunities than the hosts, who looked more like a team wanting not to lose than win.

Following an encouraging start to the campaign, defeat here against a Macc team who are a shadow of last season's would have been a kick in the teeth and put pressure on the Blues heading into Monday's game.

Instead, the win means Burr and his players go into that fixture full of confidence and with a real prospect of taking 14 points from the 21 available in the opening month.