Chester 0 Spennymoor Town 0

Spennymoor Town spoiled another party when they came away with a point from Chester City on Saturday.

Chester, under the new managership of former Salford pair Bernard Johnson and Anthony Morley, were touted as promotion favourites before the start of the season, but Moors once again underlined their own promotion credentials as they almost pulled off a victory.

“I thought we definitely deserved something from the game,” said manager Jason Ainsley. “I’ve got a bitter sweet feeling, to be honest.

“Before the game, going to a place like Chester who were in the Football League not so long ago, we would have settled for a point. The atmosphere was brilliant before the start of the game – our fans certainly played their part with some great support – and I thought that we definitely spoilt the party.

“In the first half we held our own and had a couple of chances to take the lead. But in the second half we looked really strong, had the far better chances – we missed three one-on-ones – and were really good. Their keeper pulled off three great saves. On the other hand, they hit the bar, and their chances came from our individual errors and they haven’t really opened us up -- so I suppose it was an entertaining 0-0 draw. They were pleased to hear the final whistle. Maybe for an away side, I’m just a little disappointed that we didn’t win, but it’s good to get a point.”

Ainsley gave debuts to several new players, and put another new signing, keeper Chris Elliott, on the bench.

“I was delighted with the new lads, they certainly played their part. Our defence was excellent, while our new keeper, Jonathan Gould, pulled off a couple of good saves. We also thought that when James Curtis went up front, he could have had a penalty when he appeared to be pushed to the ground.

“I was also delighted with the fitness levels of the lads, they kept going right to the end on a hot day, and Chester were hoping for the final whistle ten minutes from the end.

“Overall, it was important not to lose, it’s good to get off the mark in terms of points, and we can look forward to the game against Darlington on Tuesday night.”

Moors competed well in the opening stages backed by their noisy following, and it was Chester who nearly took the lead midway through the half with an effort by Anthony Dudley who fired just wide.

However, Moors responded well, and Rob Ramshaw broke away, beat keeper Grant Shenton, but defender Simon Grand just managed to clear the ball off the line.

The nippy David Foley then put a good chance over the top for Moors before the half time break.

Chester nearly took the lead straight after the restart with an effort by Shaun Tuton that Gould fingertipped over the crossbar, but Moors went close when Glen Taylor was put through by Ramshaw, but Chester keeper Shenton managed to push his effort away.

Then Jamie Chandler sent Mark Anderson away into the box, but he couldn’t find the right ball for Taylor to convert.

However, the woodwork saved Moors at the other end, when Dudley found space but his effort came back off the crossbar.

The game was definitely swinging from end to end, and this time Shenton pulled off a terrific flying save from a Stephen Brogan chance, and then he denied sub Jake Hibbs, while Gould made an equally good stop from Jon Pritchard.

Moors: Gould, Williams, Curtis, Thackray, Brogan, Chandler, Ramshaw (sub Boyes 90), Foley (sub Henry 63), Anderson (sub Hibbs 76), Johnson, Taylor Subs: Elliot, King, Attendance 2,192.