Battling Chester FC made sure visiting league leaders Cambridge United paid the penalty for their first-half spot-kick miss with a valuable point.

It may have been Chester's third consecutive 0-0 home draw in the Skrill Premier, but in the face of tough opposition, this was a point won rather than two points lost for Neil Young's men as they put up a defensive masterclass.

Blues boss Young named an unchanged squad from the one which defeated Alfreton Town 1-0 in midweek – the first time he kept the same starting line-up this season – following improved performances from the squad.

And for the first 30 minutes, it was difficult to tell which side was leading the division and which was stuck in the relegation zone, as Chester more than matched the early-season pacesetters.

Jamie Reed, Craig Lindfield and Kevin McIntyre all had long-range efforts during this time, but none posed any real threat to Cambridge keeper Chris Maxwell, who caught all the shots with ease. Similarly, Cambridge's Richard Tait had a long-range shot collected without Chester keeper John Danby breaking into a sweat.

But after the half-hour mark, Cambridge began to up the tempo and Chester's defence was strongly tested as Tom Elliott's 18-yard shot was well saved by Danby.

Kwesi Appiah then struck a low drive which Danby did well to block from 10 yards on 36 minutes.

Hearts were in the mouths of Blues fans as George Horan brought down Harrison Dunk in the area. Referee Anthony Backhouse paused for a moment before pointing to the penalty spot.

However, this time fortune smiled upon Chester as Appiah's resultant spot-kick in the 41st minute was woeful and was more in danger of troubling the corner flag than the goal.

Just before the break, Elliott was put through on the Chester goal, but was closed down by the Blues defence just before he could put a shot away.

As in the first half, Chester continued to equal their opponents after the break without creating any real opportunities themselves.

As the half wore on, neither side could pose any threat in front of goal, until the 78th minute when Cambridge substitute Nathan Arnold rifled an attempt from the edge of the area which zipped just to the right of the Chester goal.

Chester substitute Gareth Seddon injected a flash of brilliance to the game when, on 83 minutes he beat three members of the Cambridge defence, but when it came to taking a chance, his cross was overhit.

Adam Cunnington had the chance to steal the victory in injury time with a dangerous free kick near the Chester box, but his shot was just as poor as the first-half penalty miss, and the final whistle blew with no goals scored.

It was a result which Blues fans cheered in the knowledge that Chester had successfully snuffed out any threat from the visitors.

Chester FC: Danby, Kay, Horan (Higginbotham 54), Linwood, Harrison, Lindfield (N Turner 59), McIntyre, L Turner, Pugh, Reed, Titchiner (Seddon 72).

Subs: Heath, McDonald.

Booked: Reed, N Turner.

Cambridge United: Maxwell, Taylor, Coulson, Miller, Champion, Elliott (Cunnington 60), Dunk, Tait, Hughes (Arnold 67), Berry, Appiah (Sam-Yorke 67).

Subs: Bonner, Norris.

Referee: 2,530.

Attendance: Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).