It felt like a winner. When Ryan Astles swivelled and fired home Johnny Hunt's cross in the third minute of injury-time he sent the 1,129 travelling Chester FC fans into rapture and salvaged a 2-2 draw at 10-man Tranmere Rovers .
Anything less than a point would have been criminal with the Blues digging deep and refusing to throw in the towel against their big spending hosts after falling two goals down before the break.
There were plenty of strong performances from a game which, with Astles' equaliser, provided one of those priceless moments in football.
Alex Lynch – 7/10
A superb save at point-blank range to deny Andy Mangan in the second half proved pivotal. Did very well.
Johnny Hunt – 6/10
Got caught out a couple of times in the first half but was far more solid in the second. His cross found Astles for the equaliser.
Sam Hughes – 6/10
Playing again in an unfamiliar right-back role owing to injuries, Hughes was caught out on a couple of occasions but regained composure in another mature performance.
Blaine Hudson – 7/10
Had a poor first half but was exceptional after the break and put his body on the line.
Ryan Astles – 8/10
Had a very solid game at centre-back, as usual, but that turn and finish for the leveller immediately gives your rating a boost. Cult hero stuff.
Tom Shaw – 8/10
He really is a different player to last season. His superb header reduced the deficit, he was a threat going forward and did his job in the centre of the park.
Ryan Lloyd – 7/10
Hardworking and always looking for the ball, his delivery for Shaw's header was superb.
Elliott Durrell – 6/10
Full of hard work and graft, he played his part. Final delivery was found wanting on a couple of occasions, though.
Craig Mahon – 7/10
Quiet in the first half but stretched the Rovers' defence in the second, particularly when they were a man down.
Kane Richards – 6/10
Worked hard throughout, evidenced by his tracking back to the right-back position after the Blues lost possession. Hit the bar in the first half but found inroads limited in the second.
James Alabi – 8/10
Impressed. Put himself about physically and had Tranmere on the back foot. Gave a tough afternoon to Steve McNulty and that is no mean feat. He's improving as each game passes.
GAME STATS
Entertainment value – 10/10
Coming back from 2-0 down, a red card, a bumper crowd and a last-gasp leveller, it really was a game that had everything and was superb advert for the National League. Great stuff.
Referee: Thomas Bramall – 2/10
Gets some leeway for making the right decision in showing Ben Tollitt a second yellow for a dive when some may have given a penalty if not positioned correctly.
But Bramall made some really poor decisions. He didn't spot a handball in the build up to Tranmere's second goal and inexplicably booked Astles for effectively winning a header against a smaller, weaker Jay Harris.
Atmosphere – 10/10
The Blues fans turned out in force and boy did they make themselves heard. Not far off 8,000 for a National League game is pretty impressive.
