The Blues pulled through their toughest test so far to win by the slimmest of margins in a tense game that went down to the wire at Hare Lane.
The opening exchanges were cagey, then six minutes in Chester scrum-half Carwyn Lloyd-Williams intercepted a pass at the tail of a Macclesfield scrum.
He broke free and put in Elfyn Davies to give the hosts the lead.
Macclesfield’s covering defenders seemed to be protesting the score, suggesting it was held up, but the try was awarded.
In the minutes that followed, the Blues seized the initiative and took the game to their hosts in a ferocious manner.
Their endeavour paid off when Frankie Barker crossed in the corner after some patient build-up play as Chester led 7-5 at the end of the opening quarter.
The game was largely played between the 22s and it was an impressive battle of attrition between both packs.
Macclesfield were finishing the half strongly, but to their credit, the Chester defence stood firm.
Then, on the stroke of half-time, second row Dean Williams was yellow carded and Chester took advantage.
In the last play before oranges, the hosts stormed up the field with quick ball and strong running.
Eventually the ball was shipped out to Will Nelson who stepped his way through to give the hosts a 14-5 lead at half-time.
The Blues started the second half strongly; despite being a man down they pushed to get back within touching distance.
After almost an hour’s play, Matt O’Regan ran a good support line to take the ball off Elliot Brierley who had sliced open the hosts’ defence.
O’Regan ran in the five-pointer to make it 14-12 and set up a hugely tense final quarter.
The nerves all around the ground were evident on the field and both sets of players were on edge, with neither wanting to make the crucial mistake.
But it came with 72 minutes on the clock. The home team were penalised at the breakdown 30 metres out from their own line and the Blues had the opportunity to put themselves ahead.
Captain Tom Eaton stepped up and calmly slotted the three-pointer.
Ed Stobart picked up Macclesfield’s second yellow card of the game with minutes remaining to really test the Blues’ resolve.
The hosts managed to get themselves a penalty right on the touchline and chose to kick at the posts with no time left on the clock.
Rhys Hayes was the man who stepped up but as his attempt drifted wide, Macc ran out winners in an incredibly close game.
Elsewhere, it also proved to be a difficult day for league leaders Stourbridge, who scraped past bottom-of-the-table Sheffield 17-14; like the Blues they also failed to get the bonus point.
This means that, six games into the season, Macclesfield and Stourbridge have gone punch for punch and remain locked at the top of the table.
