STUART Jones was the last-gasp hero as Chester snatched a potentially crucial victory on their return to Evo-Stik League action.

Back-to-back defeats may have ensured a rollercoaster 2010 for the Blues ended on a relatively low note, but Jones got 2011 off to a bang as he hammered home an injury-winner to spark scenes of wild celebration among the large travelling support.

The goalscoring defender’s 94th-minute strike brought the First Division North leaders their eighth away league win on the spin, moved them six points clear at the summit and left spirited Cables and their new manager Dave Ridler punch drunk.

The lowly Merseysiders earned an unlikely draw when the sides met at the Exacta Stadium in October, but they were denied a share of the spoils in the most dramatic of fashions on a wet, grey and bitterly cold New Year’s Day at Valerie Park.

All credit to Chester. They have played better this season but they deserve praise for digging out a result Neil Young will rank as satisfying as any as he has achieved since taking over the Exacta Stadium reins. Young was spot on when he said afterwards that results like these win championships.

With an already heavy pitch cutting up badly from the first whistle, neither team were able to fashion much of value in a contest high on commitment but low on real quality.

The surface proved to be a great leveller for a well-organised Cables side fired-up for former Wrexham defender Ridler’s first permanent game in charge.

The hosts – like their visitors playing for the first time in nearly three weeks – were more than a match for their high-flying opponents, but it was Young’s men who created the better chances.

One of the best of which came in the 23rd minute when Tom Field’s corner found unmarked centre-back Carl Ruffer, who should have done better than send a header wide of the post.

Michael Clarke was just as wasteful 10 minutes later as the debutant striker scuffed a 10-yard shot straight at Mike Langley.

Langley’s opposite number, Chris Sanna, was equally as underworked in the opening period, with his sole moment of concern coming when Dale Wright’s rising 30-yard free kick flew high over the bar.

With matters showing no signs of improving immediately after the restart, Blues boss Young threw on Kyle Wilson and new loan winger Scott Metcalfe.

And Wilson almost made an immediate impact as his side-footed cross was headed out from underneath his own crossbar by Krystian Liptrott.

With Cables beginning to lose their discipline, Chester went closer still when Jones met Field’s driven free kick and saw his flicked header rebound off the bar.

Jones was then the victim of a late lunge by Lee Smith, who became the fifth of six home players to be shown the yellow card by referee Simon Durbin.

Blues fans felt Smith should have been given his marching orders, but their anger nearly turned to joy 15 minutes from time when George Horan’s knockdown found the onrushing Wilson. However the substitute could only fire over from 12 yards.

Chester were now firmly on top and only a super stop from the back-pedalling Langley prevented another Jones header from looping in.

But just as it seemed Cables had weathered the storm, Greg Stones escaped down the right and crossed to the back post where Jones arrived on cue to crash a sweet left-footed volley past Langley from close range.

Prescot: Langley, Hollett, Spearitt, Liptrott, Rendell, Smith, Wright, Couch (Parsonage 79), Calland, Gibiliru, Madin. Subs: Flynn, Jarrett, Bell, Foy.

Booked: Couch, Calland, Rendell, Liptrott, Smith, Parsonage.

Chester: Sanna, Jones, Horan, Ruffer, Graves, Stones, Barnes, Field, Howard (Metcalfe 53), Wilde, Clarke (Wilson 53). Subs: Beck, McCarthy, Taylor.

Booked: Clarke, Jones.

Goals: Jones 90.

Referee: Simon Durbin (Cheadle Hulme).

Attendance: 1,020.