Four wins from seven games in September represents real progress for the Blues and gives them something to build on over the months to come.
Chester took too long to get started at New Bucks Head and fell behind on 19 minutes when Mike Grogan drilled the ball past Jon Worsnop after the defence got into a mess.
John Rooney had levelled within nine minutes, curling a free kick past Jonathan Hedge from 20 yards and the Blues improved as the half wore on.
Neither side could take command in a poor second half with the next goal looking decisive and Chester claimed it on 66 minutes when Sean McConville headed home his third of the season from close range.
Telford became more and more desperate in the search for an equaliser but the Blues defence stood up to the challenge and ground out another valuable win.
Telford have found the transition from the Conference North tough, and came into the game bottom with six points from 12 games.
A defence that has shipped 33 goals has been the Achilles' heel and one of the home stewards summed things up best with his succinct if unpublishable description of the back four.
Liam Watson's side had however taken points off two of the top-three, including a 4-3 win over nine-man Torquay United on Saturday.
Watson included ex-Chester pair Sean Clancy and Tony Gray but had to make one change with the experienced Andy Todd ruled out and Adam Farrell recalled.
September had been a good month for the Blues, three wins moving them into lower mid-table and five points off trouble.
Grimsby Town had been too strong for a side affected with illness on Saturday but a trip towards the Wrekin offered a more realistic chance to pick up points.
Steve Burr was relieved to find his squad had shaken off the worse of the bug and made one change to his starting side with Jadan Hall recalled and Ibou Touray reverting to the bench.
Telford made the brighter start with Mike Phenix having an effort deflected behind, Godfrey Poku firing wide from distance and Ben Heneghan making a good block when Clancy took too long to get his shot off.
An out-of-sorts Chester hadn't got into the game when the Bucks broke the deadlock on 19 minutes.
Gareth Roberts appeared to have been fouled before Michael Kay failed to deal with Ryan Higgins' low cross and the ball fell for Grogan, who smashed his shot past Worsnop from 10 yards.
Telford were showing greater fight and enthusiasm but the Blues levelled on 28 minutes through another special Rooney free kick.
Hobson had been impeded on the edge of the box and Rooney, as he did against Macclesfield Town, used his right peg to curl the ball around the wall and into the bottom corner.
Chester were getting into the game and having some success on the break with Hobson not quite able to reach Craig Mahon's through pass before the Irish winger headed Hall's cross wide.
Telford had opportunities too with full back Higgins looking dangerous down the right and Kay covering well when Gray intercepted Kingsley James' misplaced pass.
Mahon had been the best outlet for the Blues and had a shot deflected wide before Steve Akrigg headed over down the other end but the sides went into the break level.
Burr made a double change for the second period, introducing Chris Iwelumo and Touray for Hall and Hobson.
Chester continued to struggle in possession and that gave the ball back to the Bucks too often, although the hosts didn't take full advantage.
Both sides had come into the match targeting maximum points but did not seem to be coping well with that pressure and the game became more and more fragmented.
With the game there for the taking, Chester managed to find a second goal on 66 minutes after Hedge had saved Iwelumo's flicked header.
Rooney took a short corner and exchanged passes with Touray, who found Kay with his cross and the defender hooked the ball into the danger zone where McConville headed past Hedge.
Telford mounted a response with Poku sending a fizzing shot wide from 30 yards and Grogan forcing Worsnop into a save with another long range strike.
Danny Harrison replaced James moving towards the closing stages and Neill Byrne headed over from underneath the crossbar as the Bucks pushed forward.
Chester found themselves under increasing pressure as the clock ticked down and the excellent 556-strong travelling support willed them on.
Telford launched the ball forward time and time again and McConville had to head a corner off the line but the Blues showed real determination to hold on for the three points.
Chester FC: Worsnop, Heneghan, Kay, Charnock, G Roberts, Mahon, James (Harrison 77), Rooney, Hall (Touray 46), McConville. Hobson (Iwelumo 46).
Subs: C Roberts, Winn.
Goals: Rooney 28, McConville 66.
Booked: Hobson, Touray.
AFC Telford United: Hedge, Higgins, Akrigg, Byrne, McDonald, Phenix (Deacey 60), Poku, Grogan, Clancy (Cooke 74), Gray (Barnett 87), Farrell.
Subs: Platt, Pryce.
Goal: Grogan 19.
Referee: Martin Coy (Durham)
Attendance: 1,871.
