The first half was dominated by crucial saves from respective goalkeepers Ross Fitzsimons and Louis Gray, before referee Jon Kenny took centre after the break with a flurry of cards.

Jordan Thewlis was the only dismissal from the field of play, with United coach Lee Stratford, substituted player Mitch Rose and Chester joint manager Bernard Morley also given their marching orders following a fractious second half.

It was a case of keepers being on top during the first period, with Gray thwarting Jordan Burrow from an Andi Thanoj throughball and Fitzsimons denying John Johnston following a Brad Bauress assist.

Johnston lifted a further effort over the crossbar while Fitzsimons denied Bauress at full stretch following a Chester raid down the right.

Kevin Roberts made a brilliant block to deny Terry Hawkridge, while Danny Livesey did likewise to keep out Paul Green’s deft header and Gray made the save of the match to deny Green following Hawkridge’s threaded pass.

Gray made another flying save after half-time to keep out Thanoj’s diving header.

Stratford had already seen red after shoving Johnston on the touchline by the time Thewlis was penalised for an off-the-ball incident with Roberts – with Rose and Morley following for a bout of push and shove on the touchline.

Chester wasted a glorious chance to win the match with three minutes to play when Danny Elliott wriggled through and drilled a fraction wide from 18 yards on his left foot.

Boston (4-3-3): Ross Fitzsimons; Matt Tootle, Luke Shiels, Scott Garner, Scott Duxbury; Paul Green, Mitch Rose (Tom Platt 65), Andi Thanoj (Joe Leesley 86); Terry Hawkridge (Jay Rollins 65), Jordan Burrow, Jordan Thewlis. Subs (not used): Connor Dimaio, Fraser Preston.

Chester (4-3-3): Louis Gray; Kevin Roberts, Danny Livesey, Simon Grand, Jamie Morgan; Declan Weeks, Paddy Lacey (Anthony Dudley 83); John Johnston, Danny Elliott (George Waring 90), Brad Bauress (Brad Jackson 70). Subs (not used): Gary Roberts, Will Goodwin.

Referee: Jon Kenny.

Attendance: Behind-Closed-Doors.

Photography: Russell Dossett.