Chester FC fans left the Deva Stadium frustrated after their misfiring side could only manage a goalless draw against 10-man Grimsby Town in the Skrill Premier.
The Blues ironically looked the stronger of the two teams when playing against the full Grimsby side, but once again their lack of confidence and creativity meant they created few clear-cut chances.
Gareth Seddon had a great opportunity to take the lead on six minutes when he burst through the visitors' defence, but his run was poor, putting him at a tight angle to goal, and his shot just trickled along the inside of the box before being cleared.
Grimsby responded on eight minutes when Lenell John-Lewis took advantage of Blues captain George Horan lying injured to fire a well-taken shot which whistled just past the left post.
The Mariners continued to apply the pressure and a Patrick McLaughlin corner on 11 minutes found Ross Hannah, who headed the ball at goal and forced keeper John Danby into a good save.
After a lively start for both sides, chances ebbed away, although the Blues had the better of midfield play.
The game changed shortly after the break when Town's Joe Colbeck needlessly lashed out at Lee Pugh on 50 minutes, following a robust and slightly late challenge from the Blues midfielder. The incident happened in full view of referee Ben Toner, who showed no hesitation in giving Colbeck his marching orders.
But, in the same way as when Chester faced Woking at home earlier this season, the sending off fired up the visitors and it was 10-man Grimsby who looked more likely to score.
The game increasingly looked to be heading for a disappointing stalemate as time went on, and despite a skilful moment from subsitute Alex Titchiner, whose 15-yard shot was stopped at the feet of Grimsby keeper James McKeown, the scoreline remained goalless at the final whistle.
Before the match, Chester fans would have happily snapped up a point against one of the pre-season favourites for the title, but after another tepid second-half display, it felt like two points lost for the hosts, who travel to Gateshead on Tuesday.
Chester FC: Danby, Kay, Horan, Harrison, Mills (Titchiner 68), L Turner, McIntyre, Higginbotham, Seddon, Pugh, Chippendale (Mahon 83).
Subs: N Turner, Linwood, Lindfield.
Booked: Kay, Mills.
Grimsby Town: McKeown, Kerr, Pearson, Doig, Colbeck, John-Lewis (Cook), Bignot,
Goodall, Hannah (Hearn 77), Jones, McLaughlin.
Subs: Thomas, Neilson, McDonald.
Booked: Bignot.
Sent off: Colbeck.
Referee: Ben Toner.
Attendance: 2,363.
