Kettering dominated at the Deva Stadium but new-look Chester worked hard to earn a point from a draw in this Conference opener.

Goalkeeper Wayne Brown was in inspired form as Kettering created a series of chances, Gez Murphy, the new signing from Boston, looking sharp on his debut.

Brown had to produce two saves of the highest quality to keep the scores level.

He denied Shaun Murray with a super diving save and kept out Murphy's cross-shot with 11 minutes left.

Chester, with a summer turnover of 25 players, could have snatched the points with almost the last kick of the game when Chris Blackburn's 18-yard effort went just wide of Ian Bowling's right-hand post.

Murphy could have put the visitors ahead inside three minutes but shot wide from six yards when found by Murray's inswinging corner.

Brown was again called into action as he grabbed Dale Watkins' long-range strike and was relieved to see a free-kick from the same striker go past the post.

Chester were unable to get to grips with the game in the first half as Mark Beesley's left-foot effort from 20 yards forced the only save from Ian Bowling.

And the second half was more one-way traffic until Blackburn's shot threatened to deny Kettering the point they more than deserved.

Chester: Wayne Brown, Guyett, Ruffer, Hatswell, McIntyre, Woodyatt, Blackburn, Kelly, Davies, Beesley, Twiss. Subs: Cameron, Carey, Sugden, Harkness, Brodie.

Kettering: Bowling, Haran, Howarth, Norman, Matthews, Small, Walsh, Murray, Butcher, Murphy, Watkins. Subs: Ward, Hughes, Inman, Perkins, Shutt.

Referee: G Turner (Chesterfield)