MACC bounced back from their Boxing Day defeat with an emphatic win over their Cheshire neighbours, as Keith Alexander’s men looked to book their place in the team to face Everton.

Alexander, who made no secret of his anger at the manner of his side’s loss at Morecambe, restored Terry Dunfield to the starting line-up, while Richard Walker and James Jennings started their first games in months to form a five-man backline with Izak Reid, Sean Hessey and Paul Morgan.

It was Jennings who set up Macc’s opening goal just six minutes in, advancing to send a cross from the byline onto the head of the waiting Nat Brown, who rammed his header beyond Chester keeper John Danby at the far post.

But the opening half was one of toil and endeavour, with Macc’s five-strong defence looking solid and Jon Brain in goal rarely troubled.

Shortly after Gareth Evans saw a fine 25-yard effort sail narrowly over the bar, the visitors had their first shot at goal, easily saved by Brain.

Simon Yeo had a sharp shot on the turn gathered by Danby, before Brown volleyed Evans’ cross some way over the crossbar.

As the half came to a close, Jennings again made his way forward and, after a tidy one-two with Evans, fired a shot that Danby did well to stop.

The first action of the second half saw the visitors get back on level terms. Jay Harris’ through-ball was deflected into the path of Ryan Lowe, who curled a first-time shot beyond Brain.

Despite being pegged back, Macc stuck to their game plan and got their reward in the latter stages.

Substitute Martin Gritton set up Dunfield for a shot that failed to trouble Danby but, with 15 minutes left on the clock, Dunfield’s free-kick caused chaos in the Chester box.

Gritton and fellow substitute Thomas each had shots blocked and the third pop at goal from Hessey was handled by Shaun Kelly. Referee Andy D’Urso had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Evans stepped up and fired the penalty into the top corner of Danby’s goal to restore Macc’s lead.

Moments later, Chester almost equalised but Brain frustrated Lowe by tipping his shot on the turn over his bar.

At the other end Gritton started and ended a neat passage of play by heading Thomas’ cross over.

Gritton did seal the game for the Silkmen when the best move of the match, involving one-touch passes from Thomas, Brown and Evans, led to Gritton finding time and space to calmly stroke the ball beyond Danby.

It could have been more for Macc in injury time but Danby foiled Gritton, who powered a volley goalwards but the keeper did well to block the shot.