While 0-0 draws can hardly be defined as classics, Chester City's 2007 FA Cup third round stalemate at home to Ipswich Town nine years ago this week was one to be savoured.
Given a reprieve following Bury's fielding of an ineligble player in round two, a Blues side boasting the likes of Jonathan Walters and Roberto Martinez, long before their Premier League fame, held the former FA Cup and Uefa Cup winners to a goalless draw on a cold January afternoon at the Deva Stadium.
And while the Blues may have lost the replay at Portman Road, going down 1-0 with a battling display, the fixture against the Tractor Boys can be pinpointed to the moment that set Euro 2016-bound Walters on the path to the big time.
His tireless display spearheading the attack caused havoc for the Portman Road side, a performance that didn't go unnoticed by then Ipswich boss Jim Magilton. Walters was exceptional in both games and was an Ipswich just weeks later after a £100,000 was accepted by the Blues board for the striker, who had been a revelation since joining on a free transfer from in the summer of 2006.
As for the game itself, Chester were mightily unlucky not to beat Magilton's Championship side having seen Gregg Blundell have an effort ruled out for offside when replays showed that he was, indeed, onside. It denied the Blues a second FA Cup success over a winner of a European cup competition in successive seasons, having beaten two-time European Cup winners Nottingham Forest 12 months previous.
The game against Ipswich was an enthralling one. Chester were nothing short of outstanding, particularly in the first half, and only the agility of Shane Supple in the visitors' goal denied them.
Supple made excellent saves to deny Blundell, Sean Hessey and midfield maestro Martinez, while on another occasion he was forced to race out of his area to hack a through ball from the current Everton boss away from the onrushing Walters.
Ipswich, on the other hand, barely threatened John Danby in the Chester goal, with only a close range Alan Lee header forcing the Blues' custodian into action during the opening 45 minutes.
The Suffolk side upped the ante after the break but a well-drilled Chester side symied the visitors. Canadian defender Jason De Vos did go close late on but the Blues' rearguard held firm to earn a replay at Portman Road, though there was disappointment at not putting the Tractor Boys to the sword.
Following the draw, Blues boss Mark Wright said: "It is bizarre that we were knocked out just a few weeks ago but now we are in the fourth round draw, with the chance of meeting one of the big boys.
"I am really proud of my lads. We had the chances and maybe deserved to have won.
"I am going to enjoy every minute of this. I think my players are a bit stunned with the result but they should be proud of themselves."
Former Liverpool player Magilton acknowledged his side had ridden their luck and were fortunate to escape from their meeting with the Blues still in the competition.
"We could not have complained if they had beaten us, and I feel very relieved to have another chance," said the ex-Northern Ireland international.
"I don't know why we did not perform, but Chester were very brave and Mark Wright should be proud of them."
Chester City: Danby, Bolland, Artell, Westwood, Marples, Martinez, Hessey (Bennett 78), Hand, Wilson, Blundell, Walters. Subs not used: Sandwith, Linwood, Rutherford.
Ipswich Town: Supple, Bruce (Casement 46), De Vos, Naylor, Harding, Roberts, Legwinski, Garvan, Richards (Williams 68), Lee, Clarke (Haynes 68). Subs not used: Price, Peters.
Attendance: 4,330.
