MK Dons distanced themselves from promotion rivals Chester at the Deva Stadium with their 10th win in their last 12 league games.
A goal in each half from Mark Wright and Jemal Johnson put the League 2 leaders in the driving seat, but goalkeeper Willy Gueret played a huge part in securing the points.
Gueret kept out substitute Simon Yeo's 77th-minute penalty to keep the visitors two-goal lead intact, before making another excellent save to deny winger Kevin Ellison just a minute later.
The French stopper's late contribution, following a first half where he could have done with a blanket such was his inactivity, ensured an vital win to maintain the Dons' four-point lead at the top of the table.
In truth, Paul Ince's team always looked like they had another gear to go into, but they were a joy to watch at times - particularly in the first half.
With Alan Navarro and Keith Andrews dominant in the middle of the park, Chester players found themselves as the odd man out in frequent keep-ball sessions as the Dons looked totally comfortable in the opening period.
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Aaron Wilbraham in action for the Dons at the Deva Stadium. |
The more they kept it, the more menacing the Dons became as Lloyd Dyer, back in the side following a three-game suspension, teed up Navarro after a wonderful move down the left and the midfield general's shot deflected just wide of John Danby's goal.
Andrews tried an audacious chip and Aaron Wilbraham was denied by Danby from a difficult angle as the Dons struggled to turn possession and territory into outright chances.
But that changed on 37 minutes thanks to the brilliance of Wilbraham.
Andrews sprayed a great ball into the striker's feet from inside his own half and Wilbraham's touch was immaculate as he rolled former Dons defender Paul Butler and found himself in the box.
The former Dons defender was beaten and as his goalkeeper rushed out to save him, Wilbraham screwed the ball back for the intelligent run of Wright, who swept the ball into the empty net from 12 yards.
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Lloyd Dyer congratulates Mark Wright on his opening goal. |
It was a lead the Dons' dominance deserved but Chester came out fighting after the break and started to show why they came into the game just four points behind Ince's troops.
But Gueret was in no mood to let them through as he came to life after spending the first half kicking his heels.
Chester substitute Tony Grant chipped a ball in from the right which dropped just over Sean O'Hanlon and onto the chest of John Murphy.
The Blues top scorer had the goal in sight as the ball bounced up perfectly inside the box, but Gueret was out like a shot to block his volley.
Typically, just as Chester were getting a foothold, the Dons cemented the lead through the predatory Johnson on 64 minutes.
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Danny Swailes gets in front of former Dons defender Paul Butler. |
Dyer set off on a trademark run down the left, leaving Laurence Wilson in his wake, before checking back and teasing a right-footed cross into the near post.
Johnson, selected in attack ahead of Leon Knight, was immediately alive to the chance and nipped in front of his marker to poke in off the post from close range.
Chester looked resigned to their fate until they were presented with a golden chance with 14 minutes to go.
Ellison headed a ball across the edge of the Dons box and as Wright controlled it to clear, referee Eddie Ilderton adjudged the Dons goalscorer to have handled it.
On as a sub just two minutes before, Yeo spotted up the kick, but looked to the heavens as Gueret beat away his effort to his right.
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Willy Gueret saves Simon Yeo's penalty. |
At that point the Dons might have thought the win was meant to be, but Gueret was never going to chance it as he made another superb stop to deny Ellison.
Yeo got himself clear of O'Hanlon with five minutes to go only to make a hash of his finish under pressure from Gueret again as Chester desperately looked for a lifeline.
But the Dons were not to be breached and they very nearly had a third when Colin Cameron narrowly missed a cross from fellow substitute Knight late on.
Chester City: Danby, Marples, Linwood (Grant 46), Butler, Wilson, Partridge, Dinning, Roberts, Ellison, Murphy, Lowndes (Yeo 74).
Subs Not Used: Ward, McManus, Holroyd.
Milton Keynes Dons: Gueret, Diallo, Swailes, O'Hanlon, Lewington, Wright (Cameron 82), Navarro, Andrews, Dyer (Knight 65), Wilbraham, Johnson.
Subs Not Used: Abbey, Gallen, Broughton.
Booked: Diallo, Swailes.
Goals: Wright 38, Johnson 64.
Attendance: 3,102
Referee: Eddie Ilderton (Tyne & Wear)
