Making their return after a 44-year absence, they appeared to suffer a case of stage fright as they struggled to impose themselves on a greatly revamped Chester team who were first to the ball on most occasions.
The home side, fielding only two players in the side from last season, made the early running and Drewe Broughton was denied when his close-range effort deflected over in the seventh minute.
But the striker, signed in the close season from Rushden & Diamonds, did not have long to wait to open his goalscoring account for his new club. On 16 minutes Laurence Wilson delivered an inswinging corner to the back post and the unmarked Broughton powered a downward header into the net.
It took the visitors until the 35th minute to have their first effort when substitute Andy Todd, who had come on early in the game for the injured Sean Doherty, fired a shot just past the post.
Andrew Proctor got forward to threaten the Chester goal but his shot was blocked with a brave challenge from Jamie Hand.
Two minutes after the interval, Broughton had a great chance to double his tally when he chased a long ball over the top but his attempted lob over the goalkeeper went wide of the target. He then limped out of the action just before the hour mark to be replaced by Gregg Blundell.
Gary Roberts had the visitors' best chance of the second half with a free-kick from the edge of the box but it was hit straight at keeper John Danby. Substitute Andy Mangan also fired a shot over the bar from distance as the Reds sought out an equaliser.
But it was Chester who secured the points with a penalty four minutes from time after Blundell was brought down in the box by Robert Williams. The striker took the spot kick himself, slotting past keeper Ian Dunbavin who went the right way but was unable to prevent the ball finding the back of the net.