CHESTER made it seven games unbeaten after picking up an impressive point at league leaders Chorley.

Given the visitor’s long injury list and Chorley’s home form, which has seen the Magpies lose just twice at Victory Park in 2018, this was a performance to savour for joint managers Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson who will feel they did enough to pick up all three points from a goalless game in which the visitors made most of the running.

Video and images by Rick Matthews

A tight first half saw the hosts suffer a blow after just 17 minutes when striker Louis Almond limped off to be replaced by Jake Cottrell as Chorley struggled to impose themselves on a resolute Chester defence.

It took until the 21st minute for the Magpies to create a chance when Josh O’Keefe’s header from a corner was cleared off the line before Steve Howson had the first sight of goal for Chester only to hit his 18 yard volley high over the bar.

As the half progressed, the visitors began to grow in confidence with Craig Mahon becoming the focal point for Chester’s forays into the Chorley area.

Just after the half hour it was Mahon who had the best chance of the game up to that point as the Irishman picked up a lose ball on the edge of the area only to hit his shot over the bar.

At the other end, full back Matt Challoner wasted a good opportunity for the hosts after a lung bursting run into the area saw him get on the end of a low cross only to shoot wildly wide.

Chester began the second half strongly and almost took the lead on 52 minutes after Scott Leather brought down Matty Hughes on the edge of the area with the resulting free kick headed over by Jonathan Moran from just six yards.

With Chorley offering very little up front, Chester continued to dictate play but it was not until the 78th minute and the introduction of Deane Smalley that the visitor’s approach play had a focal point and just seconds after coming on the substitute was denied by a superb diving save from Matt Urwin who tipped Smalley’s close range shot round his left hand post.

Minutes later Smalley was at it again as he leapt above the Chorley defence only to see his looping header spin inches wide of the far post with Urwin well beaten.

Five minutes of injury time suggested there was a chance to break the deadlock but the game remained goalless with fast improving Chester leaving the pitch by far the more satisfied of the two sides.