Chester were held to a frustrating goalless draw in the FA Trophy first round clash at Hednesford Town.

The Blues, who also failed to find the net in their loss at Darlington last week, drew a blank in Staffordshire despite creating a wealth of chances to kill off the tie.

The visitors made three changes from last weekend’s league defeat, with Danny Elliott, Matty Hughes and Gary Roberts coming in for Elton Ngwatala, Anthony Dudley and Gary Stopforth.

The Blues started promisingly, looking to get Hughes in behind and he created space but the ball wouldn’t drop for him to fire at goal before Samuel Griffiths could clear the danger.

With chances limited in the opening 20 minutes, it fell to Hughes again to almost break the deadlock, beating Andrew Wycherley to the ball and rounding the goalkeeper but his shot was blocked by a Hednesford defender.

The hosts were gifted a golden opportunity to take the lead just after the half hour mark as Livesey’s clearance was headed down to Danny Glover, but the striker could only drag his shot wide of the target.

Moments later and Chester had another good chance when Bradley Jackson’s cross from the right wing looped over a Hednesford defender and Hughes’ header spun just wide of the post.

Chester started the second half brightly, working the ball well to Akwasi Asante on the edge of the Hednesford area, but his powerful effort was just wide of Andy Wycherley’s left hand post.

The Blues’ dominance in possession produced more efforts at the Hednesford goal, with Jackson cutting inside onto his left foot and firing goalwards, but Wycherley was able to save at the second attempt.

With Hednesford’s defence dropping deep to deal with Jackson’s crosses, the Blues started to push midfielders forward and Gary Roberts tried an ambitious diving header from the edge of the area, that Wycherley was able to gather.

Opportunities continued to come for the Blues and, with 25 minutes remaining, Jackson showed some delightful skill to turn his man, before his cross deflected for Matty Hughes, who shot across Wycherley, but the Hednesford keeper was able to push it away and a defender cleared up before Elliott could reach it.

More good play from Jackson led to another opening, as he beat his man before laying it off to Gary Roberts, but his shot was too close to Wycherley.

Hednesford’s first chance of the second half fell to centre half Kieran Morris, after some panicked defending by the Blues, the ball broke to Morris on the left side of the penalty area, but he couldn’t curl his shot on target.

Chester responded positively, and again Jackson was heavily involved, cutting inside before firing a deflected effort that Wycherley could only push into the direction of Asante, but as he turned the ball home the offside flag was raised.

The visitors also spurned a late chance to snatch victory, Joel Taylor curling an injury-time free kick wide of the post after Gary Roberts had been fouled on the edge of the area.

The Blues will now have home advantage in Tuesday night's replay, which is set for a 7.45pm kick-off.