ALDERSHOT TN 2, CHESTER CITY 2

CHESTER were dreaming of a win and a great escape from relegation when they scored after just two minutes at the EBB Stadium on Saturday.

But Aldershot came back to score twice and although Mark Wright's men equalised through teenager Lloyd Ellans, they ultimately had to be content with a point – and that will not be enough to save them from dropping back to Conference football.

The always pragmatic Gary Waddock was merely disappointed that Aldershot failed to win their last home game of the season.

"Kirk (Hudson) has scored two outstanding goals and we still can't win a football match, so from our point of view it was extremely disappointing," said the manager. The second goal would have graced any stadium – it was a fantastic strike."

A crowd of more than 3,000 saluted the Shots' considerable achievement of holding status with some comfort in their debut season in League Two.

But with military bands playing and end-of-season awards being handed out – Anthony Charles was predictably named both Player of the Season and Supporters' Player – it would have been nice if Aldershot had ended a winless nine-game run with three points.

Chester were desperate, however, and with injuries and suspension reducing Aldershot to a skeleton squad, a draw was not such a bad outcome.

City now need to win their final game, hope Grimsby lose, and overturn a 20-goal deficit to beat the drop.

They had hoped for a more realistic scenario after winning an early penalty against the Shots.

Rob Elvins, again filling in as an emergency centre-back, under-hit a backpass, letting in Anthony Barry who was denied by Nikki Bull's fine save. However, a penalty was awarded against the keeper in the following melee, and although Bull again excelled himself by stopping the spot kick, top scorer Ryan Lowe moved in to score at the second attempt.

It took Aldershot only 12 minutes to draw level. Kirk Hudson made one of his lighning dashes from the right and lifted the ball over Jamie Spencer. It was another superbly crafted goal by the Shots' brightest prospect.

Chester had obviously come to attack and with the home team intent on giving their fans something to remember, there was plenty of goalmouth action to savour.

Bull saved at Lowe's feet in a one-on-one, while, at the other end, a John Grant header was cleared off the line by James Owen.

Jake Robinson was looking extremely lively and was only denied a goal by Spencer's outstanding tip-over save from a rising drive.

No surprise that it was the in-form Hudson who put Aldershot in front after 11 minutes with his second goal of the game.

Scott Davies supplied the pass that enabled Hudson to let fly from his favourite hunting ground on the right corner of the penalty box and again Spencer stood no chance as the ball fairly rocketed into the net.

Seven minutes later, the Aldershot injury jinx struck again as Chester drew level in controversial circumstances.

Bull again saved bravely from Lowe, but was injured in the process and was outstretched in the goalmouth as Ellans finished off at the far post.

Bull was carried off with an ankle injury injury, to be replaced by Mikhael Jaimez Ruiz,

Almost immediately, Ruiz made an important save from substitute Ritchie Partridge.

And the substitute keeper often stood between Chester and a lifeline in the remaining time. He stopped another on-target effort by Lowe and then required treatment after tangling with the striker again.

When Ruiz blocked a close-range blast from the persistent Lowe, Chester probably knew they were never going to equalise

City entertain Darlington next Saturday needing a miracle to avoid their second relegation in nine years.

Aldershot close their campaign with a trip to Lincoln City.

Aldershot: Bull (Jaimez-Ruiz 67), Soares, Newman, Elvins, Sandell, Hudson, Donnelly (Hylton 67), Davies, Cochrane, Grant, Robinson. Subs (not used): Straker, Hutchings, Connelly. Booked: Soares, Hylton.

Chester: Spencer, Roberts, Linwood (Rule 47), Kelly, James Vaughan, Barry (Partridge 62), Owen, Harris, Wilson, Lowe, Ellans (Jones 86). Subs (not used): Rutherford, Platt. Booked: Owen, Lowe.

Attendance: 3,100.

Referee: Phil Gibbs (West Midlands).