THE LAST time these sides met 15 years ago, League champions Liverpool were in a tussle for the title with a resurgent Arsenal, three-year-old Wayne Rooney was more interested in Blue Peter than the lure of the Goodison blue, and a Russian-less Chelsea were facing relegation from England's highest division.
On that frosty afternoon in October 1988, Aldershot and Chester City played out a 1-1 draw at the Recreation Ground in a Football League fourth division encounter.
A decade-and-a-half later the teams met again in equally unfriendly conditions, Saturday's clash being played out in the teeth of an unrelenting rain storm.
The clubs these days strut their stuff in the Nationwide Conference, but both harbour ambitions of returning to the level of their former modest glories.
Ironically, the weekend result in Hampshire replicated the draw in the autumn of '88, and in truth the conditions ensured that the entertainment level was again similar to that previous meeting.
The point means that City stay at the top of the Conference table, but the southerners are still ominously well-placed in the chasing pack, which also contains former Football League clubs Barnet, Hereford United and Shrewsbury Town.
Chester started the better, with Brady bringing out a good save from Bull, and Stamp just failing to capitalise on a through-ball from midfield.
Aldershot's best chances in the first period came from Charles and Challinor, who both shot narrowly wide of the upright.
Chester took the lead in the 50th minute, when Stamp met an in-swinging corner from McIntyre and flashed the ball into the net from close range.
However, the lead only lasted for 10 minutes, Miller crossed into the City area, and Challinor found space to head past Brown.
City, who have now extended their unbeaten Conference run to an impressive 15 matches, tried hard for a winner. Brady shot narrowly wide, and Clare brought out a good save from Bull.
After this hard-fought draw, Chester now turn their attentions to their next match, when they entertain FA Cup heroes Accrington Stanley at the Deva Stadium tomorrow night.
CHESTER CITY: Brown, Ruffer (Heard, 67), Guyett, Collins, Carey, Davies, Smith (Carden, 62), McIntyre, Brady (Foster, 86), Stamp, Clare. Subs: Harris, Rapley.
