Steve Burr was proud of his players for digging in to hold for a 2-2 draw with relegation rivals Southport on Tuesday night.

Craig Hobson put the Blues ahead on 34 minutes with his first goal for the club and Craig Mahon doubled the lead with a fine solo strike three minutes into the second period.

Karl Ledsham pulled one back for the Sandgrounders before the Blues lost Matty Brown on the hour mark, leaving them without a recognised centre back after Paul Linwood limped off in the first half.

Southport controlled the final half four with Ledsham missing a  penalty and home keeper Aaron Chapman making a string of saves before the resistance was finally broken on 89 minutes when Ledsham made amends with his second.

Chester effectively ended the game with nine fit men as Ricky Bridge went down with cramp and Mahon unable to move his right arm but clung on for a point.

Burr said: "The injuries were absolutely crucial. We've lost two centre halves and I think full credit has to go to the lads for the effort they have put in.

"We had to reshape everything. Andy Bond and Jason Jarrett were controlling the middle of the park.

"I thought first half we were well in control but to lose Matty Brown like we did meant we had to rearrange things.

"We lost Ross Killock on Saturday and those are the sort of things you need to go for you. We were out on our feet in the last 10 minutes without a shadow of a doubt."

With both teams battling to survive there was a tense atmosphere with some fierce tackles, robust challenges and the police intervening when Southport sub Richard Brodie had a verbal altercation with some Blues fans.

"I think the nature of the game and the position of both clubs meant it was a big game to try and get the three points and it was full blooded with full commitment from both teams," said Burr.

Linwood went into the game nursing a knock on his shin and lasted only 22 minutes before having to come off for Michael Kay.

Brown sustained a nasty facial wound and Mahon landed awkwardly after being fouled with both going to hospital after the game for checks.

It was feared man of the match Mahon had broken his collarbone but he has now been cleared of serious injury.

"Linny (Linwood) has been playing the last three games with a shin injury," said the manager.

"He felt okay before the game but he got a knock on it after about five minutes and you could see he was struggling to move so we had to make a sub.     

"I must say I thought Michael Kay went on and did very well. I was really pleased because it's not easy coming in at centre half and I thought he did well for us but then we lost Brown later in the game and had to reshape.

"Matty went off to hospital and it could be fractured cheekbone but we will know more when he's had it looked at. Hopefully it's not too serious.

"We put Jason back at centre half, Ricky Bridge pulled up with a bit of cramp and it was all hands to the pump but I thought they did fantastic.

Burr was unhappy with referee Simon Bennett's decision to award Southport a penalty in the second half.

Danny Hattersley and Chapman contested the ball on the edge of the area and the keeper appeared to knock the ball out of play but the striker flung himself to the ground.

Mr Bennett gave a spot kick after consulting his linesman, who had flagged for a foul but was uncertain where the offence took place. Ledsham stepped up but his strike smashed the crossbar.

Burr said: "The only bit of luck we've had is when he hit the ball against the bar and we didn't think it was a penalty.

"It looked ropey from where we were. I spoke to the linesman and the linesman hadn't actually given the penalty.

"I don't know why the referee came over to ask him because the referee already thought it was inside the box so why didn't he just point straight to the spot?

"We hammered the linesman and it wasn't really his fault. It seemed a bit of a strange one.            

"We spoke to Chappy (Chapman) afterwards and he's got a clear touch on it and the lad has gone over so easily that it was quite embarrassing."