Chester produced an excellent rearguard action to deny promotion-chasing Aldershot Town a winner their dominance deserved.

Marcus Bignot's side - who look set to be relegated from the National League with eight games now remaining - defended superbly for long spells against the Shots, who struck a post through Matt McClure and were constantly denied by Chester keeper Andy Firth, on-loan from Liverpool.

A shock victory would have given the Blues a faint sniff of clawing out of the relegation zone, but this still has to be regarded as a good point for Bignot's team of academy graduates, volunteers and loan signings, given the play-off aspirations of the visitors.

Bignot rang three changes from the side who lost out 2-0 in the cross-border derby last weekend – in what proved to be new Walsall boss Dean Keates’ last match in charge of Wrexham – with James Jones, Ross Hannah and Gary Roberts returning in place of Matty Waters, James Akintunde and Lucas Dawson.

It was a very quiet start to proceedings, Andy Halls penalised for a late tackle on Josh McQuoid, with Blues forward Archer caught from behind by Will Evans on halfway.

Lewis Kinsella’s low shot from 20 yards was watched wide by young keeper Firth, Jones then sliding in to deny Kinsella’s left-wing drive.

Kinsella was cautioned on 12 minutes for a rash tackle on Halls on halfway, with referee Peter Wright encouraged to brandish a yellow by an incensed Hannah.

McQuoid latched onto the end of Emmanuel Oyeleke’s neat back heel six yards out but was flagged offside as he blasted into the side-netting but the Shots were in the driving seat.

The dangerous McClure broke a suspect offside trap from Chester’s defence and crossed from the left side of the area but Firth was able to parry clear. Kinsella’s low left-footed effort was then well held by Firth, as Gary Waddock’s visitors pushed for an opener.

Archer’s strength earned a free-kick off Evans on halfway, which Roberts floated across and Ryan Astles’ header just flashed wide of goal.

Firth made a stunning save on 34 minutes to deny McClure, who stabbed a shot goalbound from two yards out but was denied by a fantastic right-hand from the on-loan Liverpool stopper, who tipped it onto the post, Jones hacking clear.

Shamir Fenelon fluffed his lines at the back post when he should have converted Kinsella’s wicked delivery, but the Blues got through at half-time unscathed and well and truly still in the game against the play-off contenders.

Aldershot started the second-half in positive fashion, Oyoleke letting fly from 20 yards but Firth equal to.

Jones did well to clear from Jake Gallagher’s cross with McClure waiting to pounce, Firth forced into a smart block to deny Fenelon from a smart Shots corner routine.

The Shots were in the ascendancy and Bignot sensed the need to change things, bringing Akintunde on for the ineffective Vose, who did get a healthy round of applause from the 1,612-strong crowd.

It was like a one-man crusade at times from Firth to deny the visitors and he produced another fine save at point-blank range to keep out Fenelon from eight yards.

Hannah was replaced by Harry White on 68 minutes, with Chester still yet to register a shot on goal, Waddock making a double swap to try and force a winner.

However, it was Chester who came closest with their first attempt on target, as White cut in from the left wing and unleashed a right-footed shot from 20 yards which Jake Cole pushed away, Halls nearly scoring from the rebound.

The Shots remained the better side in attack but for all their efforts they were starting to get ragged, Adam McDonell’s 30 yard strike sailing well wide.

Lathaniel Rowe-Turner made a positive impact when brought on, surging forward and earning a free-kick, McDonell booked for his troubles, Roberts then taking one for the team and felling James Rowe.

Six minutes were added on, Firth again saved from Oyoleke and Chester clung on for a valiant point.

Chester: Firth, Hobson, Jones, Astles, Anderson (Rowe-Turner 76), Halls, Crawford, Roberts, Vose (Akintunde 61), Hannah (White 68), Archer; Subs: Jaaskelainen, Dawson.

Cole, Alexander, Evans, Fenelon (Rowe 82), Oyeleke, McClure (Kabamba 69), McQuoid, Gallagher (Kellermann 69), McDonnell, Kinsella, Reynolds; Subs: Rendell, Fowler.

Referee: Peter Wright (8/10)

Attendance: 1,612