Ross Hannah continued his scoring streak as Chester FC drew 1-1 with Dover Athletic, who will be kicking themselves not to have taken the three points.

For most of the game there was little to separate the sides and this was a slight improvement on the weekend but the visitors created enough chances in the final 20 minutes to win the contest twice over.

Chester will be grateful Ricky Miller left his scoring boots back on the south coast and will probably view this as a point gained rather than two dropped.

The Blues had the better of the chances in the first-half with Craig Mahon shooting wide, John Rooney missing the target with a free-kick and Richard Orlu diverting a Calum Dyson header behind.

Dover went ahead on 37 minutes with a breathtaking exchange between Stefan Payne and Ricky Modeste teed up Ricky Miller and he smashed a volley past Jon Worsnop.

Chester's response was laboured but a crude foul from Modeste on Johnny Hunt led to an equaliser seconds before the break. Rooney swung over the resulting free-kick and the ball was knocked down for Ross Hannah to tap into the net.

The second-half took a while to come to life but, once a pulled calf ended referee Martin Coy's evening, the game opened up with Worsnop saving from Miller and Rafferty tipping a thunderous Tom Shaw striker around the post.

Dover then started to turn the screw with Miller wasting another decent chance and Jamie Grimes having a goal disallowed for a foul moments earlier before Miller somehow headed wide when unmarked inside the six yard box.

Chester struggled to stem the tide with Miller missing another chance in the final minute.

Talking points

Alex Whitmore: There were a few nervous moments but overall the Geordie defender can be pleased with his first outing. He began a little shakily but grew into the game and teamed up well with the excellent Ben Heneghan to deal with a dangerous Dover forward line. It was a tough ask to go straight into the starting line-up as a replacement for the captain having only signed that afternoon but the 20-year-old didn't let himself down at all.

Attendance: Credit to the 1,479 spectators who braved the elements on a rotten evening for one of those games that never quite captures the imagination, but this was the lowest crowd for a league fixture since the club reformed. There are numerous factors that contributed to that and the club needs to give them some thought. There's an undercurrent of disenchantment among some supporters and a need to reengage some of those whose interest has waned this season.

Match facts

Chester FC: Worsnop, Higgins, Heneghan, Whitmore, Hunt, George, Rooney, Shaw, Mahon (Chappell 46), Dyson (Hobson 67), Hannah.

Subs: Forth, Gordon, Lloyd.

Goal: Hannah 45.

Dover Athletic: Rafferty, Magri, Grimes, Orlu, Thomas, Raggett, Deverdics, Parkinson, Modeste, Miller, Payne (Ajala 84).

Subs: Murphy, Diallo, Sterling, Walker.

Goal: Miller 37.

Booked: Modeste.

Referee: Martin Coy (County Durham)

Attendance: 1,479.

Star man: Ben Heneghan.