Performance wise this was an improvement for Chester FC yet a scrappy second half and a tense finish, that saw both sides reduced to 10 men, showed there's still work to do.

It wasn't a game high on quality although the Blues did produce some good stuff in the first-half before tailing off in the second period.

Chances were pretty scarce and the main talking point came in the final minute when Richard Brodie, who enjoys the role of pantomime villain whenever he faces Chester, was involved in two red cards.

Kingsley James was on the end of the first, losing his rag and pushing Brodie to the ground after the striker's unconvincing dive failed to convince referee Wayne Barratt to award a penalty.

Brodie was booked for his part in the coming together and got a second a minute later for a daft challenge on Ryan Higgins.

It was a lively ending to a match short on entertainment and Chester will probably view a point, and a clean sheet, as a decent return.

Having seen his team enter 2015 in poor form, the transfer window came at the perfect time for Steve Burr, who had used two weeks without a game to overhaul his squad.

He had finalised seven new signings since the 3-2 home loss to Braintree Town on January 4 and three of them came straight into the starting line-up.

Ryan Higgins, Brad Abbott and the returning Matty Hughes came into the side, as did Michael Kay who replaced Kieran Charnock at centre half.

Southport, three places and six points behind the Blues in the table, had also had a fortnight's break following a brave FA Cup exit at Derby County of the Championship.

Gary Brabin, a favourite at both clubs, started two new recruits, 18-year-old goalkeeper Callum Burton and Andy Parry, brought in on loan from Shrewsbury Town and Luton Town.

Chester made a bright start on a difficult surface with Sean McConville twice forcing Burton into saves and Hughes just failing to beat the keeper to a loose ball, although skipper Matty Brown did pick up a needless early booking against his former club.

Southport spent most of the opening quarter of an hour defending yet were within a couple of inches of taking the lead on 16 minutes when Danny Hattersley turned Paul Rutherford's cross-shot in at the back post but he was flagged offside.

It was a rare attack for the Sandgrounders and the Blues continued to create the better openings.

Gareth Roberts should have done better when Hughes rolled the ball into his path on 21 minutes and Tom Peers couldn't react quick enough when Burton parried McConville's shot five minutes later.

There was plenty of promise in Chester's build up play but a lack of killer instinct and the hosts came back into the contest with Jon Worsnop punching a decent Rutherford cross clear and Scott Kay hooking wide.

Chester finished the half the stronger with McConville firing over from the edge of the area and Brown unable to keep his header down from Hughes' cross.

Southport had a let off in the closing seconds when David Fitzpatrick tried to head a long Worsnop clearance back to Burton but the ball flew past the keeper and into the side-netting as the first-half ended goalless.

It was Chester who continued to press the game after the restart and Kinsley James had a decent chance on 47 minutes but his shot from 18 yards was always rising and flew over the crossbar.

Abbott, who showed some classy touches, released Craig Mahon in the 52nd minute and the winger created space for a shot, although couldn't generate enough power to trouble Burton.

Southport then began to see more of the ball with Worsnop clawing out a Fitzpatrick corner and substitute Richard Brodie testing the keeper from 25 yards.

Chester introduced John Rooney and Kane Richards with 20 minutes to go and the game looked there for the taking for both teams.

Southport's best hope looked to be the tireless Hattersley while for the Blues needed to get more of the ball to Hughes, who was much less effective than in the first-half.

Josh Green came on for the last seven minutes but with chances limited and both sides probably more concerned about not losing the game than winning, it was hard to see where a goal was going to come through.

Southport came closest in the 90th minute through a Brodie header at the back post but Worsnop made an excellent one-handed save.

Brodie then chucked himself to the ground in an attempt to win a penalty and referee Wayne Barratt was unimpressed with his theatrics. So to was James, who stupidly rushed in and pushed the striker, who dropped to the floor in a heap.

Mr Barratt flashed his red card towards James as players from both sides ran in and booked Brodie after the Chester midfielder had left the pitch.

Brodie, clearly not one to learn his lesson, followed him down the tunnel 60 seconds later after a late challenge on Higgins rightly earned him a second booking.

There was still time for one last chance for the Sandgrounders, Hattersley hooking inches wide of the post but in truth a point was probably a fair outcome.

Chester FC: Worsnop, Higgins, Brown, M Kay, Roberts, Abbott (Rooney 72), James, Mahon (Richards 67), McConville, Hughes, Peers (Green 83).

Subs: Viscosi, Heneghan.

Sent off: James.

Booked: Brown.

Southport: Burton, Parry, Collins, Foster, Fitzpatrick, S Kay, George, Rutherford, Joyce (Brodie 63), Bakayoko (Marsden 63), Hattersley.

Subs: Lloyd-Weston, Smith, Connor.

Sent off: Brodie.

Booked: Foster, Brodie.

Referee: Wayne Barratt (Bromsgrove)

Attendance: 1,894.