MATCH REPORT | Chester 0-0 Carlisle United

The Blues battled to a point in their fourth game of pre-season – putting in an encouraging performance against a strong EFL League Two side.

Carlisle United started the brighter, showing their Football League class with dangerous build up play and high intensity in winning the ball back. Stefan Scougall was first to try his luck, a deflected shot going wide of the post inside the first ten minutes.

After riding the storm of the first 20 minutes, the Blues began to create. Kevin Roberts’ late arrival from a Matty Waters corner ended with the defender turning the ball wide.

Another new signing in Danny Elliott showed a lot of promise, firing inches wide of the post from the edge of the box.

Then came controversy. A red card in pre-season is rare – but Ed Duckworth spotted Carlisle forward Hallam Hope throw a hand at Kevin Roberts off the ball. Steven Pressley’s side would have the play the remaining 50 minutes with ten men.

Elliott was the livewire in the second half as well as the first. His appeals for a penalty after tumbling in the box were waved away, before he missed the best chance of the game. Latching on to George Waring’s flick on, the forward couldn’t convert as Louis Gray made a good smothering save.

Danny Livesey nearly made an impact against his former club – nodding over the crossbar from a Matty Waters corner. Blues keeper Theo Roberts was the last stopper to make a save – a good diving hand to push away Kerr’s effort, as it ended all square.

CHESTER FC: Griffiths (T Roberts 46), K Roberts, Livesey, Grand, Waters, Morgan (Jackson 46), G Roberts (Burton 46), Stopforth (Thomson 83), Mahon (Murray 70), Elliott (Marsh-Hughes 79), Waring (Dudley 70).

ATTENDANCE: 598.

REFEREE: Ed Duckworth