THE MATCH
Chester FC had to settle for a share of the spoils after throwing away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Southport at the Lookers Vauxhall Stadium.
The Blues, who have drawn five of their last six National League games, were unable to make former manager Steve Burr's return to the club for the first time since his sacking a miserable one.
Kane Richards and James Alabi had Chester 2-0 up at the break but Andrai Jones and Jamie Allen ensured a share of the spoils went back to Haig Avenue, much to the displeasure of the home congregation come the final whistle.
Blues boss Jon McCarthy named an unchanged starting XI from the weekend draw with Bromley, albeit a lengthy injury and suspension list meaning he had little room for manoeveure.
The wet conditions made for an up tempo affair early on and Richards went close with a first-time effort from 15 yards from Johnny Hunt's cut back while, at the other end, a Sam Hughes mistake almost handed Southport the opener but Allen was foiled superbly by Alex Lynch when one on one.
But Chester had the advantage on 13 minutes when Elliott Durrell stood up an excellent cross to the far post that found the head of Richards who nodded past Magnus Norman from close range at the far post.
The Blues continued to press the visitors and were 2-0 up on the half hour mark when a Ryan Lloyd corner found Alabi's head with the big striker making no mistake from close range.
Hughes could, and should, have made it 3-0 10 minutes later when he failed to when Alabi's angled effort was palmed into the path of the Blues defender but he couldn't convert when could by surprise four yards out.
Ashley Grimes looked to have pulled one back when he connected with a header from a corner at the near post but Lynch reacted superbly to deny him with a stunning reflex save.
Lynch made another superb save to stop Southport reducing the arrears just before the break when he pushed a Grimes effort away when it had looked destined for the back of the net.
Chester were slow out of the blocks in the second half and Lynch was called into action again, producing a great save to deny Grimes from point-blank range from Neil Ashton's low cross.
Southport grew in confidence and pulled one back on 60 minutes when Jones lashed home low past Lynch from 20 yards after the Blues had lost possession in midfield.
It was almost 2-2 just two minutes later when Allen rifled a low effort through a crowded area but Lynch produced a wonderful one handed save to send it over the bar.
Southport continued to press and the Blues looked increasingly nervous as the half wore on and Jones went close to levelling matters when he slid in to reach a near-post flick on from Liam Nolan but could only steer his effort wide.
Chester were chasing shadows and it was no surprise when Allen made it 2-2.
The Blues were unable to get a foot in during a Southport break and Allen fired first time low and hard past Lynch.
Southport had chances to win it at the end and Chester were left clinging on to a point and, in truth, Southport can feel hard done by to have not come away with the win.
ANALYSIS
It had all seemed so rosy at half time but the second 45 was a thoroughly miserable affair.
This was a game that Chester needed to be winning and, at 2-0 up, should have won. But they somehow managed to throw away three points, clinging on for dear life to one in the end.
After the disappointing manner of the 1-1 draw with Bromley on Saturday, Chester needed a panacea in the form of three points. It wasn't forthcoming.
They withered after the break as Burr's Southport grew in confidence and always looked like getting something from the contest.
Make no mistake, this was two points well and truly dropped.
STAR MAN
Alex Lynch: What a performance from the keeper. Produced four stops that Manuel Neuer would be proud of to deny Allen once and Grimes three times. If not for his efforts then the Blues would have been well beaten.
MATCH FILE
Chester: Lynch, Hudson, Astles, Hunt, Hughes, Mahon (Joyce 72), Durrell (Chapell 72), Shaw, Lloyd, Alabi, Richards. Subs: Waters, Evans, Marsh.
Bookings:
Goals: Kane Richards 13, James Alabi 30
Southport: Norman, R Higgins, Ashton, Thompson, J Higgins, Nolan, Weeks, McKenna, Allen, Jones (Jerome 80), Grimes (Caton 83). Subs: Ferguson, Hynes, Gray.
Bookings:
Goals: Jones 60, Allen 79.
Attendance: 1,752
Referee: Wayne Barratt
