CHESTER claimed their most satisfying scalp of the season on Saturday when they travelled to Reeds Lane for a relegation dogfight with New Brighton.
The 29-22 win posted by the visitors came at a cost, as Rob Stevens was taken off with a suspected dislocated elbow - but it did not sour the sweet taste of victory for player-coach Matt Farr.
'It was an important result,' he said. 'Our chances of survival are almost in our own hands again after that.
'The game finally saw this Chester team do what we have been saying they would do all season.'
Whether Chester play in North One next season or not is still in the balance with just three games to go.
'We have no game this weekend then we face Kendal at Hare Lane,' said Farr. 'If we can beat them we may leapfrog Stockport and be able to put some pressure on Birkenhead Park, who have a relatively easy run-in.'
Chester scored in the first two minutes through Liam Lawton and kicked on from there, dominating the first half.
They led 22-5 at the break thanks to Matt Bebington's kicking and tries from Russ Meadows and Ian Brooks.
Lawton added another try in the second as New Brighton - coached by former Chester director of rugby Steve Dorrington - launched a mini-comeback.
'In the second we switched off a bit and allowed New Brighton back into the game but I hope we stay up because if we can keep this group together, next season could be a lot better than this,' said Farr.
Survival may not ultimately be down to Chester, however. There is uncertainty about how many clubs will be relegated from North One this season.
'Originally I heard it was three, more recently I heard two, but it could go up to four,' said Farr.
'It isn't really fair on teams who think they may have survived at the end of the season to be told they are going down, but all we can do is keep playing and trying to win games.' n Chester's second team slumped to a heavy defeat at Hare Lane on Saturday. They went down 56-0 to Waterloo Seconds.
Manager Tim Doig said: 'It was a difficult match against a very good side, but I was pleased with some of the performances from my players.'
