For the second time this season, Tranmere Rovers eased to victory against a Chester FC side who again failed to produce a performance befitting of the occasion.

James Norwood's confident second-half penalty, given after Johnny Hunt brought down Adam Mekki, sealed a 1-0 win for the visitors, who bossed the game from start to finish.

There was a sense of anticipation before kick-off on Tranmere's first vist to Chester in a quarter of century, unfortunately the first-half action failed to live up to the billing.

Rovers made a positive start with Tony Thompson saving well from James Norwood before John Rooney was in the right place to clear Michael Higdon's glancing header off the line.

However, things soon quietened down with both sides struggling to produce much quality.

Chester had to make a change on nine minutes when Ian Sharps picked up a knock and the ex-Tranmere defender received warm applause from both sets of fans as he hobbled off with Hunt coming on.

Rooney forced Scott Davies in the Rovers goal into action with a decent low strike and Adam Mekki crashed an effort over the bar from 25 yards for the visitors.

It was poor fare on the whole with Rovers wasting the clearest opening when Thompson blocked well with his legs to deny Lee Vaughan after he dispossessed Jordan Chapell.

Norwood had the best chance of the half in the 37th minute when Jake Kirby's hanging cross found him unmarked at the back post but he hammered the ball over from eight yards as the sides went in goalless.

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Tranmere continued to force the game following the restart but could not convert that pressure into clear-cut opportunities.

Higdon was aggrieved to be booked for ploughing into keeper Thompson before Hunt's last-ditch block denied Norwood from close range.

Chester showed signs of life on 55 minutes when Alabi connected with a good cross from the left and Davies tipped his header around the post.

Hannah went into the book for a rash challenge on Mekki as frustration got the better of him.

Rovers were incensed when referee Ryan Johnson showed Liam Ridehalgh a yellow card for simulation after he went to ground in the area between two defenders, although it appeared the correct decision.

Tranmere did not have to wait long for a penalty however as minutes later Mekki broke from midfield and tempted Hunt into a challenge as he looked to shoot and this time Mr Johnson did point to the spot.

Top scorer Norwood converted, sending Thompson the wrong way to give the visitors the lead with 69 minutes gone.

Rovers went close to a second when Thompson got down well to keep out Jake Kirby's strike after a good move between Norwood and Higdon.

Chester had been second best from the first minute in truth and needed a response that was never forthcoming.

Hannah's scuffed free-kick from 20 yards was the best the Blues could do but it wasn't good enough.

Tranmere had strong claims for a second penalty in added time when Ben Heneghan appeared to handle a goal-bound shot from Steve Jennings but this time an uncertain Mr Johnson awarded a corner.

Rovers never looked in danger of surrendering a deserved lead and finished with the swagger of a team that knew the game was won.

James Alabi holds off Tranmere's Steve McNulty
James Alabi holds off Tranmere's Steve McNulty

Talking points

The penalty: Was it or wasn't it? Johnny Hunt put his hands on his head as soon as referee Ryan Johnson pointed to the spot but was that in disbelief at the decision or the anguish of knowing it was the right call? On first viewing, albeit from 60 yards away on the press bench, Adam Mekki looked to show enough of the ball to the defender to tempt him into a challenge that was a risky one given where it happened on the pitch. It's hard to blame Hunt however as he was up against it after possession had been gifted away upfield.

Ross Hannah: It wasn't Hannah's afternoon and he cut a frustrated figure throughout, becoming visibly more wound up as the game progressed. Give credit to Tranmere's back four, in particular centre backs Steve McNulty and Michael Ihiekwe, for restricting Hannah and James Alabi to crumbs of possession, but Chester's approach didn't help the front two. Hannah was asked to drop in behind Alabi but he looked lost between positions and he's far more threatening on the shoulder of defenders than picking up the scraps.

Match stats

Chester FC: Thompson, O'Brien (Mahon 57), Heneghan, Sharps, Astles, Chapell, Rooney, Hughes, Lloyd, Alabi, Hannah (Bell 80)

Subs: Worsnop, Higgins..

Booked: Alabi, Hannah.

Tranmere Rovers: Davies, Vaughan, Ihiekwe, McNulty, Ridehalgh, Mekki, Jennings, J Hughes, Kirby (Mackreth 74), Norwood, Higdon (Taylor-Fletcher 81)

Subs: Turner, Riley, Margetts.

Booked: Higdon, Ridehalgh, Norwood.

Goal: Norwood (pen) 69.

Referee: Ryan Johnson (Bolton).

Attendance: 3,494.

Verdict

It's hard not to feel disappointed and deflated after that.

Tranmere should go close to promotion and have one of the division's strongest squads, however this was a derby and even allowing for the odds being stacked against them, Chester fans had a right to expect more.

In the lead up to the game the talk was the Blues would up for the match and looking to get at Rovers but that never materialised.

It was one-way traffic for the most part and whether it was a tactical ploy or not, Chester showed too much respect and allowed the visitors to dictate matters.

For what was supposed to be a derby, there was a distinct lack of passion on show and it was no surprise to see some home supporters heading for the exits before the final whistle.