THE race for the Evo-Stik League First Division North championship is wide open after Chester's lead at the summit was cut to three points.Having looked down and out after their defeat in last months top-of-the-table clash, second-placed Skelmersdale United are now just one win away from the long-time leaders having played a game less.

The Blues were well worth a point but they would have gone home empty handed had it not been for Chris Simm.

The super sub smashed home his ninth goal of the season to cancel out Nathan Neequayes opener for a Woodley side who are now unbeaten on their artificial surface in nine matches.

With a strong wind at their backs, Neil Youngs men bossed proceedings before the break and the in-form hosts could have had no complaints had they trailed at the interval.

That they didnt was down largely to the performance of Liam Higginbotham.

The goalkeeper made a costly error when the teams met at the Exacta Stadium two weeks ago, but he did not put a foot wrong on a blustery evening at the Neil Rourke Stadium.

Higginbotham made an early stop from Iain Howard before tipping a Greg Stones free kick past the post and then showing quick reactions to deny full debutant Jack Mackreth a clear run at goal.

But his best save came midway through the opening period when he adjusted his feet brilliantly to prevent Howards wind-assisted cross from creeping in.

Carl Ruffer was the next to try his luck. The veteran centre-back embarked on a storming run out of defence and, after playing a neat one-two with Howard, fired over.

Ruffer went close again shortly after the restart when his header from Howards inswinging corner was blocked on the line by Matty Russell.

On the back of a run of 11 goals in 10 games, Neequaye was always going to be Woodleys one to watch.

But apart from a couple of half-chances at the start of each half, the visitors kept the red-hot striker quiet until he took advantage of an Adam Judge mistake to break the deadlock in the 67th minute.

The Chester keeper made a hash of a long punt over the top and Neequaye showed a lovely touch to lift the ball over Judge and prod the ball into the empty net.

But the Stockport outfits lead lasted just eight minutes thanks to a superb finish from Simm.

Just four minutes after coming on, the substitute collected a clever Michael Wilde through pass and rifled an unstoppable 18-yard shot past Higginbotham to send the large travelling support into ecstasy.

But Ben Richardson came ever so closer to bringing them instantly back down to earth when his cross from the left caught the jittery Judge flat-footed and bounced back off the bar.

The Blues responded immediately and Simm could and should have scored what would have proved to be the winner, but he could only volley over after being picked out in the six-yard box by Wilde

Woodley: Higginbotham, Russell, Band, Furnival, Richardson, Wellstead, Gee, Walker, Rothwell (Haslam 85), Neequaye, Woods (Blackshaw 60). Subs: Crank, Smith.

Booked: Rothwell.

Goal: Neequaye 67.

Chester: Judge, Taylor, Horan, Ruffer, Stones, Powell (Simm 71), A Williams, Howard, Booth, Wilde, Mackreth. Subs: Beck, Barlow, Barnes, Aspin.

Goal: Simm 75.

Referee: Matt Walsh (Sheffield).

Attendance: 802.