Chester 0, Tranmere Rovers 2

TRANMERE kept their slim title hopes alive with a Derby Day victory over Chester that condemned their struggling opponents to relegation from the National League.

Andy Cook gave Rovers a deserved lead on the stroke of half-time with his 21st goal of the season, before James Norwood doubled their advantage just past the hour mark. Victory moves the Whites back up to fifth.

Successive weather postponements against Dover and Solihull Moors have seen Rovers fall miles behind leaders Macclesfield in a dwindling title race, so it was full credit to the Chester ground staff that this game was able to go ahead.

Micky Mellon named an unchanged side from the one that beat Eastleigh at Prenton Park last time out, way back on 24 March.

The cash-strapped Cestrians used financial common sense by allocating their visitors two full stands for this derby clash, which the Super White Army gleefully snapped up, making it feel more like a home match for the Birkenhead team.

After a scrappy start, James Norwood had the first chances of the match in the eighth minute, when he nodded a cross from Liam Ridehalgh against the crossbar before Andy Cook blazed the rebound over.

The hosts responded with a controlled 25-yard volley from Craig Mahon, but it was straight into the clutches of Scott Davies.

Dominic Vose then tried his luck with a tamer effort, which was easily dealt with.

Vose nutmegged Adam Buxton and played a ball into Harry White but his shot was blocked by Ritchie Sutton for a corner.

Ryan Astles best exhibited the limited quality on show, when he thumped a shot from the half-way line straight into the Tranmere fans behind the goal.

Ben Tollitt glided into the box and saw a left foot shot saved by Andy Firth before the lurking Cook was flagged offside.

Ollie Norburn picked out Connor Jennings unmarked on the edge of the box 10 minutes before the break but just as he tried to pull the trigger Astles delivered a goal-saving challenge.

Rovers went even closer moments later when Jeff Hughes steered a low corner from Tollitt against the base of the post.

A cross-field ball from Hughes picked out Norwood at the far post just before the break but his header back across goal was easy to gather.

But in first half injury time Rovers made the breakthrough. From a corner, Hughes played a one-two with Tollitt before crossing deep for Cook who rose high to steer a looping header into the net.

After the break, a miscue from Sutton presented Harry White with a great opportunity but he ballooned his edge-of-the box effort horribly high and wide.

A flick on from Hughes put Cook in behind the Chester defence but his attempted lob was off-target, much to the delight of the home crowd.

Tranmere's top scorer responded by reminding the Cestrians of the score line before blowing them a kiss.

Rovers doubled their lead shortly past the half hour mark when a ball trough the middle deceived the Chester rearguard allowing Norwood to run clean through on goal.

The ex-Forest Green striker expertly took the ball around Andy Firth before stroking it into an empty net, sending the Super White Army delirious.

Chester's chances were now at a premium but when James Akintunde found himself unmarked in the middle of the penalty area, he was only denied by the flying leg of Ridehalgh.

An outrageous 45-yard free kick from Buxton had to be punched behind for a corner, such was its venom.

The hosts toiled for a way back into the match but the stark reality is that here were two teams travelling in opposite directions.

Chester are left to face up to life back in the National League North.

Rovers must now look to deliver as many victories out of their remaining six regular season matches as possible and see where it takes them.

The play-offs at least now look a certainty.

Micky Mellon said afterwards: "We're pleased to get the result.

"This time of the season that's what it's all about.

"There's always things that we think we can improve on but in terms of it being a local derby, getting a couple of goals – the backing from the fans was magnificent – all in all a good afternoon.

"We looked like a team that hadn't had a game for a couple of weeks if I'm honest.

"Missing out on the Easter weekend looked like it made us a wee bit ring rusty.

"At times we grew into it but we could have passed the ball much better and probably been more tidy in areas but in terms of what it’s all about at this time of year and getting results, clean sheets and defending well, I think we did that very well.

"But we won't get too carried away."

Rovers National League campaign continues against Gateshead at Prenton Park tonight (7.45pm)