Marcus Bignot hailed the efforts of on-loan goalkeeper Andy Firth after he helped keep the door shut on Aldershot Town.

On-loan at Chester from Premier League club Liverpool, Firth produced a string of excellent saves to deny Matt McClure, Lewis Kinsella and Shamir Fenelon what would've almost certainly been a winning goal for the Shots, given the Blues lack of imagination in attack.

Bignot also revealed how - following the departure of goalkeeping coach Dave Felgate earlier this week - Firth has volunteered his services to help out with the coaching of fellow loanee Will Jaaskelainen, display great 'maturity and character' in the process.

"We've had a difficult week this week in terms of the goalkeeping situation," Bignot explained.

"Obviously Dave Felgate has left the football club but Andy's maturity and character is far beyond his years. He's a level-headed kid, he's into his coaching side of things, he's doing his badges, and we've had to rely on him to help us off the pitch as well, so he's been a credit.

"He deserved that because he'd have learned a lot from Wrexham. It's tough when you first come in and there were moments when I literally wanted to go up to him and get him to play the ball out quickly!

"I can understand those players though, when they are young. Credit to him, he's been superb.

"Where we're at at the moment, we're utilising the squad, and no one can question what they are giving. They could've easily downed tools, thought about their holidays. Of course we'd like to be better on the ball but it needed a big performance and show of character to go and get a result and we've found a different way to get a result. That's a massive step in the right direction."

For 21-year-old goalkeeper Firth, who had to be patient on arrival at Chester in January when he was unable to oust Sam Hornby from the number one spot, it was a day to remember as the claimed the man-of-the-match award.

"It was a tough game, Aldershot are a top team who are looking to get promoted and they've been flying," Firth said.

"After the run we've been on to keep a clean sheet and get a point is a really positive result. We had to dig in deep and I felt it was a real test of our character today. We did really well for long periods.

"The defence kept the chances down to a minimum and when they did come my way, thankfully I was able to get in the way of them.

"It was a good performance from all of us. The two lads up front worked tirelessly and the two banks of four immediately in-front of me were solid.

"It's not often the home goalkeeper gets man of the match is it?! I'm just pleased it was recognised and I obviously couldn't have done it without the team.

"I've loved it so far (at Chester). The Dover and Wrexham games were two tough matches to come into with two defeats. But to come back home, get a point and a clean sheet, it was a really special day.

"We're getting there in terms of a 90-minute performance and defensively we're getting there, we just maybe now need a little bit more offensively."