Preston Grasshoppers were given an object lesson by clinical Chester, who made the most of their chances while the hosts struggled to deliver after getting themselves into good positions.
In the eighth-minute, Hoppers shocked the visitors further when they forced them into a muddle at the base of a scrum and sent Jacob Browne over for a try converted by Pearson.
Chester hit back with a try by prop Josh Woods after a tap penalty, we’ll converted by LIam Reeve to restore a lead which they were never to lose. Centre Sean Green capitalised on a loose ball in midfield, hacking on and winning the race for a try converted by Reeve to make is 10-19 at half-time. Despite more near misses for Chester, Hoppers raised hopes of at least a losing bonus point with a Pearson penalty after prop Tom Furnival was sinbinned.