CHESTER booked their place in the next round of the FA Trophy after a hard fought tie against 10-man Ashton.
Midfielder Iain Howard broke the deadlock for Chester after just two minutes with a powerful 20 yard shot.
Substitute Michael Wilde doubled the Blues advantage in the 62nd minute with a superb finish from Matty McGinn's pinpoint free kick, just eight minutes after Wilde had replaced Robbie Booth.
Ashton were reduced to 10 men in the 67th minute when Kyle Harrop received a straight red card for a two-footed tackle on Michael Powell.
The visitors then reduced their arrears in the 72nd minute when Peter Wright converted a penalty after Howard had brought down Aaron Burns in the area.
CHESTER (4-4-2): Danby; Baynes, Horan, Taylor, McGinn; Booth (Wilde 54), Brown, Powell, Howard; McNeil (Simm 54), Rainford (Wright 83). Subs (not used): Brownhill, Smith.
ASHTON UNITED (4-4-2): Smith; Harrop, Dawson, Lambert, Melling; Roberts, O'Neill (Madely 52), Bennett, Peers (Kosylo 81); Burns, Wright (Bathurst 81). Subs (not used): Smith, Rose.
REFEREE: Daniel Meeson (Newcastle Under Lyne).
ATTENDANCE: 1,624.