Freddy Hall played with a much improved Chester teams with a performance which was not quite enough as they were edged out in a battling display against one of the title favorites, Forest Green.
Steve Burr made two changes following the humbling 5-0 home defeat to Barnet, with Hall and Sean McConville in for Jon Worsnop and the suspended Danny Harrison.
The hosts, who won at Southport on the opening day, were in front early on in this encounter. A cross by Sinclair was met by Clovis Kamdjo who turned the ball beyond Chester debutant goalkeeper Hall in the tenth minute.
The home team continued to assert their authority in the match, with Frear and Hughes both going close before Kingsley James shot wide in one of Chester's few first half opportunities.
Steve Burr's side grew into the game early on in the second half, with Craig Hobson's fortunate touch from a James shot go close.
But Rovers doubled their advantage when Elliot Frear - who had dispossessed Danny Taylor - cut a cross back for Jon Parkin who slotted home at the second attempt.
Chester's possession game created more and more chances as the match wore on, with Hobson's powerful shot flying just wide and Kieran Charnock being inches away from heading in a Gareth Roberts set piece.
Burr's side then deservedly pulled a goal back when Peter Winn smashed a shot into the net with just over 10 minutes to go - which gave hope to the away following, an outstanding 355 had turned out to support.
Sadly the goal proved too little too late for Chester as they were edged out, but there were many positives to take back up north.
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