Chester FC fans had waited 24 years for this game but within 45 minutes the 1,500 of them in the Cowshed would have been wishing the wait had been a week longer.

Rovers took advantage a dreadful first-half from the Blues to score twice through Liam Hogan and James Norwood, who was allowed the freedom of Prenton Park to dribble through a defence that had to better.

The half-time introduction of Sam Hughes tightened up the midfield and the teenager's performance was the one bright note on an afternoon to forget.

Chester never looked capable of making up those two goals, although a miraculous point might have been possible had Scott Davies not saved John Rooney's penalty with 15 minutes remaining.

Heading into the game, the Blues received a welcome triple boost with Ross Hannah, Craig Hobson and Kane Richards returning from knocks.

Hannah, who had missed three games with a hamstring strain, partnered Josh O'Hanlon in attack as Burr made a bold switch to two up front. Hobson and Richards started on the bench with ex-Tranmere defender Michael Kay replacing Tonge at right-back.

Tranmere had shown signs of feeling the weight of expectation so a good start from the Blues could increase the pressure on them, but the opposite happened with the hosts taking a soft lead in the fifth minute. Adam Mekki's corner was headed upwards and Jon Worsnop attempted to punch but got nowhere near the ball, allowing Liam Hogan to head into the net.

Rovers should have doubled the lead on 11 minutes when a long goal clear cleared the defence and put James Norwood through on goal but he failed to take advantage, lifting a tame shot into Worsnop's grateful arms.

It was a massive let off and the shot in the arm Chester needed with a neat move involving Craig Mahon and Johnny Hunt ending with the full-back forcing Scott Davies into action.

Hunt was one of a handful of players demonstrating the kind of attitude required for a game of this nature, unfortunately that could not be said of enough of his team-mates.

Rovers kept on threating and had the ball in the net for a second time on 25 minutes through Norwood but a relieving offside flag came to Chester's rescue.

Norwood would not be denied and the forward made it 2-0 in the 37th minute, surging past hesitant defenders and into the box before sliding the ball past Worsnop. As good as the run and finish was, the defending left much to be desired, capping a miserable first-half for the Blues.

Burr made a change for the second period, bringing on Wirral teenager Sam Hughes for his full debut and he made an instant impact, picking up a booking for smashing into Michael Ihiekwe.

There was little sign of the turnaround Chester needed, although Rovers could count themselves lucky not to conceded a penalty when Hogan handled the ball under pressure from Hannah, who was ruled to have fouled the defender.

An acrobatic pitch invader interrupted the game but there seemed no danger of Tranmere losing focus and allowing the Blues back into the game.

Rovers were content to protect their lead and who could blame them with Chester so short of inspiration and cohesion in attack.

Richards and Hobson came on as Burr rolled the dice and the Blues were handed a lifeline with 15 minutes to go when a Hughes header struck a defender on the arm and Mr Bennett pointed to the spot. Rooney struck his attempt well enough but Davies dived to his left and pushed his attempt out.

Talking points

Unacceptable first-half: Derbies demand a certain degree of fight and determination: Tranmere had it, Chester didn't. Rovers worked harder, showed far more desire and were much braver with and without the ball. If the first goal can be put down to an individual error, the second was not far from indefensible. It's hard to remember a 45 minutes of football during Burr's tenure so depressing and let's hope it's a long time before we see another.

Right-back reshuffle: Since arriving at Chester, Michael Kay has proven to be a very capable centre-back. He has also struggled when used at right-back. Dale Tonge's injured ribs meant the manager had to make a change and he opted to keep Ryan Higgins in midfield start with Kay, who looked far from comfortable. Higgins too was well short of the performance level we have come to expect from him, and the end result was two players who failed to peform.

Match facts

Chester FC: Worsnop, Kay, Heneghan, Sharps, Hunt, Higgins, Shaw, Rooney, Mahon (Hughes 46), Hannah (Hobson 70), O'Hanlon (Richards 65).

Subs: Forth, Chapell.

Booked: Hughes, Rooney, Kay.

Tranmere Rovers: Davies, Ihiekwe, Sutton, Hogan, Hill, Dawson (Jackson 78), Jennings, Harris, Mekki, Mangan (Maynard 85), Norwood (Margetts 90).

Subs: Turner, Ridehalgh.

Goals: Hogan 5, Norwood 37.

Booked: Dawson.

Referee: Simon Bennett (Staffordshire)

Attendance: 7,433 (1,526 from Chester)

Star man: Johnny Hunt.

Verdict

Rovers showed more appetite for the battle and there could be no complaints the result was the right one, in fact the margin of victory should have been more comfortable.

The Blues conceded a cheap opener and that eased some of the pressure on Gary Brabin's side, who have struggled to live up to pre-season expecations.

Tranmere had prepared themselves for a real scrap but got something far more serene with Chester unable to impose themselves with the ball and coming off second best without.

At times it was difficult to tell what the pre-game plan had been for the Blues. There was no zip about the passes, no threat out wide and too often the ball was aimed long, where Liam Hogan and Ritchie Sutton had the measure of Ross Hannah and Josh O'Hanlon.

Chester fans had a right to expect far better.