Eastbourne 1-1 Chester

Blundell's penalty was his first goal for Chester since his return this summer

Chester City had to come from behind with a disputed penalty to claim a third draw in four away league games on their first-ever trip to Eastbourne.

Eastbourne led inside five minutes when Andy Atkin took advantage of Kevin Roberts' poor headed back-pass.

But Chester levelled in first-half injury time from the spot, Gregg Blundell slotting home after Matt Crabb's challenge on Neil Ashton.

Two Eastbourne players were booked protesting about the decision.

Chester keeper John Danby made two important first-half saves to deny Liam Enver-Marum and Simon Weatherstone. And Atkin wasted the best chance to win when he hit the post from 12 yards with 10 minutes left.

But City also had a great chance before the break, Nick Chadwick being denied by home keeper Michael Jordan.

Bottom club Chester remain 26 points adrift of safety going into Tuesday night's rearranged home game against Gateshead (15 September, 1945 BST).

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Eastbourne Borough: Jordan, Jenkins, Pullan, Elphick, Brown, Armstrong (Baker 75), Enver-Marum (Smith 63), M Crabb, Weatherstone, Atkin, N Crabb. Subs Not Used: Knowles, Smart, Johnson

Scorer: Atkin (5)

Booked: Armstrong, Jordan, Brown

Chester: Danby, Roberts, Lea, Meynell (Kelly 65), Ryan, Lynch, Barry, Kay (Wilkinson 83), Ashton, Chadwick, Blundell. Subs Not Used: Murphy, Ellams, Rule

Scorer: Blundell pen (45)

Referee: John Hopkins (Essex)

Attendance: 968