GLARING misses cost the champions the chance of completing a league double over the pre-season title favourites.

Marc Williams gave Chester an early lead – a lead Antoni Sarcevic should have added to before Alex Johnson brought the Shaymen level.

That was the way it stayed – but only because George Horan and Williams wasted excellent opportunities in the second half.

Blues boss Neil Young, whose side won September’s league meeting between the teams, said: “I thought we played most of the football on the night and on chances we certainly deserved to win it.

“That’s football but I certainly thought we righted the wrongs of the past two games.”

The kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes after the coaches containing the Chester players and supporters got stuck in traffic on the way to the Shay.

Given their lack of preparation, it would have been forgiven if the visitors needed time to play their way into the match.

Instead they burst out of the traps and took a sixth-minute lead through Williams’ 10th goal of the campaign.

Nathan Jarman – playing out wide on the right – was the creator.

His superb cross with the inside of his right foot was begging to be converted; Williams duly obliged, beating his strike-partner Tony Gray to the ball and nudging it past Matt Glennon from six yards.

Depleted Chester – down to just 13 fit and available outfield senior players and showing three changes to the side that started Saturday's home loss to Solihull Moors – were looking relaxed and confident.

And they would have doubled their advantage nine minutes later had Sean Williams not cleared away a goalbound Sarcevic effort.

Sarcevic fluffed an ever better chance later in the half.

Marc Williams played a lofted pass into the path of his namesake Danny Williams, who did brilliantly to pull the ball back across the area.

But with the goal at his mercy, Sarcevic got his shot all wrong.

Play-off bound Halifax – who by that stage had grown into the game – made the midfielder pay for his profligacy in the 38th minute.

Danny Lowe’s inswinging free kick was a good one and Johnson provided the finishing touch, his flicked header beating John Danby and going in off the post.

The understrength hosts started the second half on the front foot, Johnson just failing to connect with a dangerous Gareth Seddon cross.

But they should have fallen behind for the second time in the 51st minute when Horan somehow headed over from virtually underneath the crossbar.

The Blues captain’s blushes were so nearly spared 10 minutes later when Gray saw an excellent attempt from the corner of the box curl just past the upright.

The impressive went Gray went close again in the 89th minute, the striker finding space 20 yards from goal and seeing his rasping drive fly inches over.

Less than 60 seconds later Marc Williams could only side-foot straight at former Chester goalkeeper Glennon after the rapid Danny Williams played him in.

It was a good stop by Glennon – but it was one he bettered right on the whistle to deny Jarman a certain winner.

Young confirmed after the match that 17-year-old striker Tom Peers will start and make his full debut in Saturday’s final game of the season at Worcester City (3pm).

Halifax: Glennon, Bolton (Toulson 46), McManus (Jackson 46), Hogan, Pearson, Lowe, Worsley, Williams, Glover (St Juste 71), Johnson, Seddon. Subs: Senior, Messer.

Booked: Worsley.

Goal: Johnson 38.

Chester: Danby, Baynes (Hankin 77), Horan, Collins, D Williams, Jarman, A Williams (Howard 63), Sarcevic, McGinn, M Williams, Gray. Subs: Peers, Miller, Fearon.

Booked: Collins, A Williams, Hankin.

Goal: M Williams 6.

Referee: Glen Hart (Darlington).

Attendance: 1,262 (258 away).