A late, late show from Grimsby Town featuring an undeserved 95th minute leveller denied Chester FC what would have been a deserved and welcome three points.
Ross Hannah gave the Blues the lead from the spot against his former club in the 73rd minute and that looked to be enough for the win but Padraig Amond rescued a point for the Mariners at the death.
Given the unsatisfactory showing in the defeat at Tranmere Rovers, it was no surprise to see three changes with recalls for Craig Hobson and Jordan Chapell, and a first start of the season for George Thomson. Grimsby named an unchanged team for the third game in a row and, following an inauspicious start, hoped to build momentum after back-to-back wins.
Both teams went on the front foot from the off with Jon Worsnop turning an Omar Bogle shot behind and Tom Shaw clipping an attempt over the crossbar from 20 yards. It was a far more positive start than at Prenton Park with Thomson forcing James McKeown into a stop with a decent strike on 15 minutes.
Grimsby should have gone ahead on 24 minutes when a slip from Ben Heneghan allowed Bogle in on goal but Worsnop, who had been blamed for Tranmere's first goal, denied him with an excellent stop. Heneghan blocked well when the dangerous Bogle found himself with another shooting chance with the Mariners beginning to get the upper hand.
Chester however spurned a fantastic chance approaching the end of the half when Thomson skipped down the left and drilled the ball across goal but neither Ross Hannah or Shaw could react quick enough to reach his cross.
The second-half began with the visitors on the offensive and Padraig Amond almost gave them the lead on 58 minutes when he hooked past Worsnop from close range but John Rooney cleared on the line. There were few clearcut chances but both managers could sense a win was possible and Chester brought on 18-year-old Sam Hughes for the fading Thomson entering the final quarter.
The Blues broke the deadlock with 17 minutes remaining when a corner was headed upwards and as Hannah waited for the ball, Gregor Robertson barged him over and referee Jason Whitley pointed to the spot. Having missed at the weekend, usual taker Rooney handed over the duties to Hannah, who fired the ball into the top corner in emphatic fashion.
Grimsby came on strong late on, throwing on Jack Mackreth and Craig Clay while the Blues brought on Kane Richards and Tom Peers to give them fresh legs up top.
Chester had opportunities on the counter with the Mariners throwing men forward but the hosts defended with desperation to hold out until the fifth minute of stoppage time when Amond stole in and flicked the ball past Worsnop to salvage a draw.
Talking points
Worsnop answers back: Being a goalkeeper can be a tough gig at times and Jon Worsnop copped a fair amount of criticism after his mistake at the weekend. He's proven before he has the strength of character to put such situations behind him and did so again. Worsnop made a vital save in the first-half from Bogle and looked far more assured. Every goalkeeper will make mistakes, what's important is how he responds and Worsnop did that.
Thomson takes his chance: A good-sized section of the Blues support have been calling for George Thomson to be given a starting spot. Opinions have been split over his best position with some believing he should be tried up front and others reckoning a deeper role would suit. He was tried here in the number 10 role and did enough to suggest that could be his place in the side. He has clever movement, a good touch and he's not afraid to have a strike on goal. He faded in the second period but let's see more of him.
Match facts
Chester FC: Worsnop, Higgins, Heneghan, Sharps, Hunt, Shaw, Thomson (Hughes 67), Rooney, Chapell (Richards 80), Hannah, Hobson (Peers 84).
Subs: Forth, Kay.
Goal: Hannah 73 (pen).
Booked: Heneghan.
Grimsby Town: McKeown, East, Nsiala, Pearson (Pittman 88), Robertson, Arnold, Disley, Robinson (Clay 70), Monkhouse (Mackreth 78), Amond, Bogle.
Subs: Tait, Gowling.
Goal: Amond 90.
Booked: Monkhouse, Bogle, Pearson.
Referee: Jason Whitely (Leeds).
Attendance: 1,964.
Star man: Ross Hannah.
Verdict
This will of course feel like two points dropped for Steve Burr and his players, but that shouldn't mask what was a performance that reminded the fans what this team are capable of.
The hope has to be that Tranmere was a bump in the road, albeit a big one, and there has been enough over the first 10 games of the season to suggest that's the case.
Craig Hobson demonstrated his importance to the side and the system, Ross Hannah looked more threatening with better support and there were promising signs from George Thomson and Jordan Chapell.
This wasn't the first time Chester have conceded late on and being able to close out a game is something that needs to be added, but if the Blues can show the same attitude, enthusiasm and boldness in possession over the coming months then there'll be more wins that defeats..
