CHESTER recorded their first victory of the new Nationwide Conference season, when they defeated a plucky Tamworth side, who worked hard, but fell short in the creativity department.

The only goal of the game came four minutes into the second period, when central defender Carl Ruffer towered a header home from 10 yards.

The first period was an even contest, with City just about edging the proceedings in the chances department, but failing to break down a well-drilled defence.

After nine minutes ex-Leyton Orient midfielder Andy Harris fired wide of an untended goal, after the Midlanders had only halfcleared a cross from Gill.

Heard and McIntyre both went wide from long-range, and Whitehead in the visitors' goal made a stunning save to deny Rapley.

Chester took the lead after 49 minutes. Just prior to the goal Whitehead had made a tremendous save, pushing an overhead kick from Rapley around the post for a corner.

McIntyre delivered the resulting corner-kick, and Ruffer's head did the rest with bullet-like accuracy that went in via a defender.

Whitehead again made excellent saves to deny the home side, after 53 minutes he saved at the feet of Gill, then six minutes later he made an acrobatic save to deny a 15-yard effort from substitute Foster.

In the second period the visitors were rarely seen as an attacking force, their best chance coming from Trainer, which Brown dealt with competently.

The visitors' cause wasn't helped when McGregor was dismissed two minutes from the end of normal time for a second bookable offence.

City could easily have doubled their advantage in injury time, but Whitehead again proved to be an immoveable force, as he stopped efforts from Heard and man of the match Paul Carden.

After the match City assistant manager Steve Bleasdale said: "We thoroughly deserved the win, but to be fair to them they made it hard for us with their work-rate. Again we kept our shape particularly well and that was pleasing."

CHESTER CITY: Brown, Collins, McIntyre, Carden, Hatswell, Harris (Foster 46), Davies, Rapley (Beasley 90), Ruffer, Gill (Brodie 90), Heard. Subs: Carey, McCaldon.

TAMWORTH: Whitehead, Setchell, Cooper, Warner, Fisher, Collins, McGregor, Rickards (Darby 71), Trainer, Bernard, Gordon. Subs: Turner, Hanney, Johnson, Lindley.