John Akinde's 18th goal of the season has given Conference Premier leaders Barnet a 1-0 half-time lead against Chester FC.
After being dumped out of the FA Trophy by Concord Rangers, Barnet were looking for a positive response at the Bee Hive Stadium but they almost fell behind after three minutes when Sean McConville headed just wide of the post.
The home side responded through Lee Cook, who had a free kick parried away by Jon Worsnop, before Jack Saville almost netted from close range after meeting a set piece.
Back came Chester, though, and only a fine double save from Graham Stack prevented Matthew Brown and Kane Richards handing the visitors the advantage.
Stack's intervention proved vital as moments later, the Londoners went in front when Akinde capitalised on an attempted back-pass to fire the ball past Worsnop.
Despite his heroics earlier in the half, Stack was fortunate not to gift Chester a way back into the game when his clearance rebounded off Richards before going wide of the post as Barnet held on to their advantage at the break.
