CHESTER gained a valuable point from a frenetic 0-0 draw at Field Mill last night and with a little more luck they could have gleaned all three points on offer.

City were outstanding defensively, thwarting all that the Nottinghamshire side threw at them, while up front, the twin strikeforce of Robbie Foy and Michael Branch always looked dangerous on the break.

Mansfield had the first chance that came when Barker just failed to connect with a cross from the left by Rundle.

City's first chance fell to Foy who brought out a good save from Pilkington after good work from Carden.

The home side should have took the lead midway through the first period, when a cross from the left eluded the City defenders, however Lloyd blazed the ball over from six yards with only Pilkington to beat.

Chester had a good spell towards the end of the opening half. Foy brought out another good save from Pilkington while debutant Ryan Lowe shot narrowly wide of the upright after a slick move involving Foy and Branch.

In the second half Chester had the better chances. A snapshot from Davies went wide of the upright and Branch showed a clean pair of heels to his marker before bringing off a save from Pilkington. City were unlucky after 63 minutes when Pilkington saved a Lowe effort at the second attempt. The former Shrewsbury player linked well with Branch before his goalbound effort hit the keeper on the underside of his body, but he managed to rescue the situation and saved just in front of the line.

Pilkington was again in action towards the end of the game, when he saved a Drummond header just under his bar.

In a frenetic final few minutes, Branch and Foy both shot wide for City, while at the other end Barker shot wide of the upright after good work by Neil.

The point will prove valuable in City's quest to avoid relegation and more away performances of this quality will surely ease the problems surrounding the drop quickly.

MANSFIELD TOWN: Pilkington, McNiven, Buxton, John-Baptiste, Coke, Neil, S Brown, McLachlan, Barker, Lloyd, Rundle (Dimech 82), Subs: White, McIntosh, Day, Barrowman. CHESTER CITY: Mackenzie, Edmondson (Regan 54), Nicholas, Hope, Bolland, Davies, Branch, Carden, Drummond, Foy, Lowe. Subs: O'Neill, M Brown, Hessey, Sestanovich.

REFEREE: Mr Darren Drysdale (Lincolnshire). ATT: 3,437.