The two highest scoring teams in northern non-league football failed to generate an effort on goal on the first 20 minutes.
The opening salvo coming from Skelmersdale in the 24th minute, when Matt McGinn with a speculative effort that hit the post.
Chester are masters of free-kicks, corners and throw-ins, and from a long throw that Carl Ruffer’s header was cleared off the line.
Skelmersdale started to get going with their own brand of flowing football and in a sweeping move starting in the centre-circle, Chris Almond was thwarted by Chester keeper Adam Judge.
It was then United keeper Tom Brocklehurst’s turn to save his side, miraculously diving to his left to save a goalbound Chris Simm volley.
The second period was more open.
A Steve Akrigg header was cleared off the line and in the 55th minute youngster Gareth Peet appeared to be up ended in the penalty area.
Chester were not out of it and Simm had a goal disallowed for offside awhile Barnes heading over the bar.
The game's defining moment came in the 64th minute, Wade turned and ran the ball into the heart of the area, and a yard from entering the penalty area, Horan appeared to grab him and in what looked a ‘head-lock' and drag him back.
A free-kick was given and a yellow card was shown to Horan, and McGinn’s free-kick was blocked.
In the 72nd minute Chester won a corner on the right, Stones hoisted it to the far post and Horan rose above everyone to thunder a header for the winning goal.
Tommy Lawson moved centre-half Akrigg up to centre-forward and it was he who came closest, gathering a long ball and unleashing a powerful right-footer that Judge only captured at the second attempt as Almond poked a foot in.
Chester will likely win the league now, but this Skelmersdale team pushed them and are capable of joining them in the Evo-Stik Premier next season.
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