THIS competitive clash - that was devoid of any real goalmouth action or excitement until the closing stages - finished with honours even after a 1-1 draw.

But that doesn't begin to tell the full story, for the Dragons looked destined for victory once substitute Marc Williams had latched onto an incisive Chris Evans through pass and slipped the ball past the advancing Chester keeper from 20 yards with just eight minutes remaining.

But in the third minute of two (yes, TWO!) minutes of added-on time Michael Jones brought substitute Chris Holroyd down just inside the box, was immediately shown red by the referee, and Rob March-Evans stepped up and sent stand-in keeper Lee McEvilly the wrong way from the spot.

It was a cruel blow for a Dragons' side that had just about done enough to warrant victory in a typical 'derby' encounter in which both sides refused to give any ground to their opponents.

"Indecision on our part led to the penalty being awarded," said reserve team boss Joey Jones. "I've got no doubt it was a penalty but to be perfectly honest, from our overall performance, I thought we deserved to win the game.

"I think Chester will admit they got out of jail - but that's football isn't it?"

Wrexham: Michael Jones, Mark Harris, Matthew Done (Sion Edwards 52), Graham Roche, Gareth Evans, Mike Williams, Andy Fleming, Levi Mackin, Lee McEvilly, Jamie Reed (Marc Williams 79), Chris Evans.
Subs: Phil Gray, Neil Taylor, Alex Darlington.