A last-minute penalty from Kevin Ellison secured Chester a draw at Edgar Street and denied Hereford a vital win in their battle for promotion.

Ellison rifled the ball past goalkeeper Wayne Brown after defender John McCombe had handled in the area in injury time.

It was a bitter blow for Hereford after they had led 2-0, Ben Smith firing in the first from eight yards before Gary Hooper raced through to score a second.

Kevin Sandwith rifled a reply before McCombe's mistake let in Ellison.

Hereford: Brown, McClenahan, Beckwith, McCombe, Rose, Igoe (Johnson 67), Smith, Diagouraga, Easton, Hooper, Guinan.
Subs Not Used: Esson, Robinson, Taylor, Collins.

Booked: Rose.

Goals: Smith 25, Hooper 35.

Chester: Danby, Roberts, Butler (Kelly 46), Linwood, Wilson, Partridge (McManus 41), Sandwith, Hughes, Rutherford, Murphy, Ellison.
Subs Not Used: Palethorpe, Rule, Stephen Vaughan.

Booked: Ellison.

Goals: Sandwith 68, Ellison 90 pen.

Att: 3,210

Ref: Phil Joslin (Nottinghamshire).