The victory hoisted Chester clear of the drop zone and condemned Mansfield Town to the Blue Square Premier League with Wrexham.

It was a hard earned draw for the Blues who clearly demonstrated their relief when the final whistle blew.

A disciplined and resolute defensive display was the key to City's objective of securing a share of the spoils.

And Blues shot-stopper, John Danby, produced one of the games of his career which included a breathtaking double save nine minutes from time.

Blues boss Simon Davies was forced to make just one change from the side that drew 0-0 at Shrewsbury Town on Saturday.

Kevin Ellison, who was substituted at the New Meadow after a recurrence of his thigh injury, was replaced by midfielder Mark Hughes.

Chester started the brightest of the two teams with Kevin Sandwith attempting to find his range with a left-footed 25-yard drive in the sixth minute which flew well over the bar.

The City midfielder then hoisted a tenth minute free kick onto the head of Hughes, but his effort was comfortably held by visiting keeper Conrad Logan.

County defender Jamie Smith put Logan under pressure a minute later with a poor back pass which Logan blasted against John Murphy and the ball spun wide of the target.

Stockport striker Anthony Pilkington saw his free kick in the 15th minute clearly deflect off James Vaughan, but the referee wrongly awarded a goal kick which infuriated Stockport boss Jim Gannon in his technical area.

And Gannon received another bodyblow in the 28th minute when targetman Liam Dickinson picked up an injury and was substituted for Adam Proudlock.

Vaughan countered for City in the 26th minute and whipped in a dangerous right wing cross to the edge of the six yard box which Logan cleared under pressure from Paul McManus.

Chester then created their best chance of the half when Laurence Wilson's 41st minute cross was nodded down by Murphy to Hughes who then headed over the bar from six yards.

Hughes and Kevin Roberts then both received bookings, as did County winger and former City player Ryan Lowe, who was extremely fortunate to escape a dismissal.

Lowe blatantly produced a two-footed tackle on Wilson in front of the dug-outs while Wilson was already grounded, and the majority of spectators were astonished to see the referee only brandish his yellow card.

But Gannon then immediately opted to substitute Lowe for Stephen Gleeson, probably viewing the winger as a liability if he had remained on the pitch for the rest of the game.

The decision was controversial from Stockport's perspective as Gannon had now used all three of his substitutions, as Jason Taylor had been replaced by Paul Turnbull just minutes earlier.

Chester imposed their intent within 30 seconds of the start of the second half when McManus forced Logan to paw clear his goalbound attempt from 18 yards.

But Stockport then produced wave after wave of threatening raids on the City defence.

Proudlock saw Danby produce a good stop from his 10 yard shot, and make another save two minutes later.

Simon Davies made a double substitution in the 57th minute in a bid to strengthen his midfield, with Richie Partridge and Paul McManus being replaced by Paul Rutherford and Tony Grant respectively.

Gary Dicker's header from Gleeson's 64th minute free kick flew over the target as County continued to find a way through.

And Chester survived County's penalty appeals a minute later when Proudlock went down in the area under a challenge from Paul Linwood.

Proudlock found the sidenetting with his 24th minute opportunity before Murphy steered a header on target which Logan held.

But John Danby deservedly took the plaudits for his heroics in the dying minutes.

He brilliantly saved a close range header from Pilkington in the 81st minute and then managed to tip the ball over as it dipped back towards goal.

And further saves followed from Dicker and Tommy Rowe as Danby helped City hang on for their vital point.