CHESTER FC boss Neil Young admitted to being shocked by Brackley Town's tactics after his table-topping side’s nine-match winning home run in the league came to an end on Saturday.
Young expected the third-placed Northamptonshire visitors to go all out for the victory that would have given them a chance of catching the runaway leaders.
But much to his frustration, that did not prove to be the case.
Young, who felt the officials allowed Brackley to ‘time waste’ in the drab 0-0 draw, said: “You would have thought they were fighting to stay up and not fighting to win the title.
“I don’t think they had a shot or even a cross – they’ve obviously given up any hope of catching us.
“I’m all for shutting up shop and trying to hit teams on the break but you’ve got to have some ambition.
“It shows how far we’ve come if a team near the top of the league has got to come here and play like that.”
George Horan, Ben Mills, Danny Williams and Marc Williams had the best chances for the Blues, who moved 17 points clear at the summit after second-placed Guiseley’s game was postponed.
Guiseley have five matches in hand.
It was Chester's first goalless home draw since March 2011 - a remarkable run of 46 games in all competitions.
The Blues have arranged to play a friendly at Witton Albion on Tuesday, February 5 (7pm). Admission is £5 for adults, £3 for concessions.
