Bernard Morley feels his Chester side have embraced a 'never-say-die' mentality this season.

The Blues ground out a point against north west rivals Altrincham at The Deva on Tuesday evening courtesy of a 93rd minute leveller from Gary Roberts.

A second successive draw, after the Blues recorded the same result at Boston United on the opening day, preserved the club's unbeaten start to the National League North campaign.

Reflecting on the Altrincham result, joint-manager Morley said: "It's not often I'll stand here and say it's disappointing to draw.

"I'm not disappointed, but I'm just overwhelmed with how this time last year we might have rolled over and got beaten three or four nil.

"But with this side we've installed a never-say-die attitude and I felt we gave ourselves a platform straight from the off. We looked to penetrate and I think the confidence throughout the team showed massively."

Prior to the game, fellow boss Anthony Johnson had hailed Altrincham's passing quality and expected a stern test from a side who had beaten the Blues twice last term.

But it was Chester who dominated possession for long spells, with Altrincham forced into a dogged rearguard action for most of the game.

"If it had been a boxing match they would have stopped it in the first round", added Morley.

" I felt like they came with a game plan and respected us far more than what I thought they would.

"They've dived about and tried to get players sent off, that's part and parcel of the game, but I saw a different Alty side tonight who've shown a little bit of resilience.

"I wouldn't call it cheating, but they were playing a game. In terms of what people know about Alty as a great passing side, I think you'd have to reverse that and say that we were head and shoulders above them.

"Their style of play is very good and they're the best at what they do in the league if you allow them to do it.

"It was a lack of quality in the final third is what cost us the three points- just finding that final ball. However, we're happy that we we've been 1-0 down for 80 minutes of the game and we've managed to find a goal."

Another disciplined defensive display augurs well for the Blues who conceded 62 times last term, the joint highest of any top-half team in the division.

Despite Chester’s current back four earning most of the plaudits, Morley was keen to highlight the collective team effort behind the Blues’ new-found solidity.

The performance of number nine George Waring, who led the Blues’ attack again after netting at York Street on the opening day, was singled out for individual praise as he stifled Alty’s attempts to play out from the back.

Morley (right) added: “I thought we defended from the front really well.

"I think George has given us a platform with his closing down from the front. As a big target man, we’re demanding so much out of George if he’s going to be that focal point. And over the two games we’ve seen a different George Waring - he’s been brilliant for us.”