MANY onlookers expected a tough test from the visitors and Southport didn’t disappoint.
The Blues were presented with a good work-out by the Conference Premier club who provided the Chester defence with their sternest pre-season examination to date.
Goals from Matt Walwyn just before the break and by Steve Daly and Jack McCormack in the second half condemned Chester to their first pre-season defeat.
The Blues looked disconsolate towards the end of the contest, but they will have learned a great deal from the occasion.
Chester named five ex-Southport players in their squad – Rob Marsh-Evans, Michael Powell, Robbie Booth, Chris Simm and Bradley Barnes, with Marsh-Evans and Powell included in the starting line-up.
The visitors, fresh from their 2-0 win against Everton in the Liverpool Senior Cup Final at Haig Avenue, included former Blues midfielder Ben Wilkinson in their side.
Chester enjoyed the majority of possession during the opening exchanges and forced the Sandgrounders into some defensive clearances.
Midfielder Wes Baynes crafted a free kick from the left touchline in the fourth minute which needed to be headed behind by centre half Earl Davis, and the resulting corner kick from Jerome Wright was glanced wide by Michael Wilde.
Southport successfully weathered a series of raids by the Blues and countered in the 11th minute when ex-AFC Fylde striker Matt Walwyn flashed a powerful shot wide of the right post.
Prolific marksman Wilde gave onlookers cause for concern in the 16th minute when he needed treatment for a shoulder injury from a tackle by Matty McGinn.
Southport striker Tony Gray posed a threat in the 18th minute with a strong forward run and low shot from 20 yards which bounced wide of the left post.
Wilde meanwhile received sympathetic applause from fans in the main stand as he walked towards the tunnel before being rushed to hospital for an X-ray and further treatment.
Wilde was substituted by Mark Reed in the 21st minute and Liam Brownhill was introduced in place of skipper George Horan.
Chester created an opening in the 33rd minute when Wright clipped a cross from the left byline to find Greg Stones who picked out Reed with his pass, but the striker saw his close range effort cleared off the line by a defender.
Southport hit back two minutes later when Hegel Noubissie received a pass from Gray and forced Blues keeper John Danby into a fine save.
And Danby was kept on his toes four minutes later when he pulled off another good save to deny Gray’s goalbound 25 yard strike.
Southport seemed to be growing in confidence but they squandered an opportunity to break the deadlock three minutes before the break when striker Steve Daly pounced on a long forward pass but then misjudged his lob to the relief of Danby.
But the visitors made amends seconds before the interval when Walwyn controlled a pass on the edge of the area before thumping his half-volley beyond Danby and into the right corner of the net.
Chester made just one change for the second half, with Robbie Booth replacing Baynes.
The Blues started the half looking determined to level the score with Wright using his pace to break and tee himself up into a good shooting position, but he fired his 20 yard attempt over the target.
Southport hit back in the 56th minute when they profited from a McGinn free kick which was glanced into the net by Daly.
Chester made a double substitution in the 61st minute with Ashley Williams and Chris Simm replacing Alex Brown and Jamie Rainford.
Southport substitute Scott Spencer carved himself an opening in the 66th minute when he weaved his way beyond two defenders before hitting a weak shot that was gratefully intercepted and cleared by the Blues’ defence.
Midfielder Michael Powell was replaced by Bradley Barnes in the 69th minute as Chester attempted to find a foothold in the contest.
But the visitors extended their advantage in the 70th minute when substitute McCormack turned his marker on the edge of the area before smashing his 20 yard effort beyond Danby and into the roof of the net.
Spencer blazed his 75th minute angled shot over the bar as Southport attempted to build on their lead, but Reed thumped his 82nd minute over the bar to punctuate the visitors raids.
The Blues continued to battle and chase in a bid to close down a well drilled Southport squad who ran out worthy winners.
CHESTER (4-4-2): Danby; Marsh-Evans, Horan (Brownhill 21), Taylor, Stones; Wright, Powell (Barnes 69), Baynes (Booth 46), Brown (Williams 61); Rainford (Simm 61), Wilde (Reed 21). Subs (not used): Judge.
SOUTHPORT (4-4-2): Usai; Lever, McGinn, Davis, Owens; Wilkinson, Carden, Noubissie, Daly; Gray, Walwyn. Subs: Spencer, George, Marsden, Ralphs, McCormack, Nemes.
REFEREE: Neil Davies (Wirral).
ATTENDANCE: 975.
MATCH RATING (1-5): ***
MAN OF THE MATCH: Winger Jerome Wright demonstrated his pace and trickery.
MOAN OF THE MATCH: Chester’s failure to defend and keep a clean sheet.