Chester City 0 Scarborough 0
THESE relegation candidates played out a dour and error-strewn draw that failed to rise above mediocrity.
Admittedly the players weren't helped by a swirling wind and an officious referee, Mr Penn, who lived up to his name by booking players particularly in the first half.
The first half came to life in the final minutes when, firstly new City signing Chris Tate headed just over from close in following a cross from Mike Rose. A minute later leading scorer Mark Beesley had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock following a delightful through ball from Stuart Whitaker, but fired wide from eight yards with only Woods in the visitors' goal to beat.
The best chance that came the Yorkshiremen's way fell to veteran midfielder Mark Patterson, who brought out a good save from Brown with a crisply struck 20-yard shot.
In the second half Chester brought on Woodyatt for Whitaker and pint-sized Jimmy Haarhoff for the ineffective Beesley and they perked up somewhat.
After 70 minutes Haarhoff set Tate up, but the on- loan striker shot narrowly wide.
Brabin, who had another excellent game for Chester, rifled a shot from 25 yards that went narrowly over the crossbar, with Woods well beaten.
Towards the end Scarborough had two golden opportunities as the City defence began to disintegrate.
After 77 minutes a mix -up between Bolland and Brown let in Stamp but
A mistake by Lancaster allowed Stamp another free run on goal three minutes from the end, but with the City faithful's hearts in their mouth again the player shot well wide much to the annoyance of his team-mates.
Neither side will be satisfied with just a point from the game, and certainly neither manager would be pleased with his team's respective performances.
Chester face another team in relegation trouble on Saturday when they travel to Stalybridge Celtic, where they must improve.
CHESTER CITY: W Brown, Lancaster, M Rose, Blackburn, Bolland, Brabin, Carey, Mcelhatton, Tate, Beesley (Haarhoff
65), Whitaker (Woodyatt 53). Subs (not used) Williams, McGory, Spink.
Referee: A Penn Attendance: 1475. with the goal at his mercy the striker shot well wide.
