Chester Jets landed in Edinburgh on Thursday night and took off again with a two point lead at the head of the BBL Northern Conference, handing their hosts a 85-86 defeat at Meadowbank.

Arriving already chilled in the Scottish capital due to some faulty heating on their team coach, Robbie Peers' men wasted little time in warming up once they took to the court but were forced to see off dogged renaissance from the Rocks who succumbed to their fifth straight reverse in a dramatic conclusion, their lowly 48% fron the line ultimately proving their undoing.

With John McCord in imposing mood on his return to the parquet where he was once so beloved, Chester raced out of the blocks on a 2-9 spurt, a cushion which grew to 16 points late in the initial stanza.

Jets zone tossed the Rocks aside, the hosts unable to respond as the Northgate outfit held the upper hand at each end, Kurt Samuels signalling his return to the BBL with an impossible three pointer over Ryan Huntley's arms.

Belatedly though, Edinburgh found their measure to push Chester backward, pressurising the leaders in transition to deliver a 11-0 burst early in the second which trimmed their deficit.

As Jets hestitated, a three point play from Darren Mills levelled the tie at 37-37 but a late burst from Pero Cameron ensured a single point lead for the visitors at half-time and Chester looked well placed to raise their game after the re-start.

David Washington - a rumoured departee from the Rocks - fouled out in the initial moments of the second half amid a barrage of criticism of the referee from both coaches but with his early bath flowed Jets recovery.

An 11-2 run sparked by the tireless legs of John Thomas put Chester back in control, their advantage a comfortable 66-74 at the close of the third.

Ted Berry - the game's leading scorer with 25 points - attempted to rally the Scots cause and in the penultimate minute, his feed to Brendan Graves trimmed the gap to 83-85.

There was better to come for the hosts after Calvin Davis fouled out, Ryan Huntley's steal with one minute left closing the differential to just one. Both he and Graves wasted simple chances to increase the pressure but when McCord picked up his fifth foul with 7.5 seconds left, Berry prolonged the drama to miss both free throws.

Rocks recovered possession with Berry retrieving the final shot but unlike three seasons ago, his last gasp attempt missed its mark as Chester escaped.

James Hamilton led the victors with 21.

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