Spalding United came within a matter of seconds of being the first team to prevent National League North leaders Chester from winning.
After three straight wins, the hosts looked to have been frustrated by a solid Tulips performance with 90 minutes already up and the score at 0-0 with the game deep into stoppage time.
However, Jimmy Dean’s team could not quite hang on and conceded a last-gasp winner and the manager said:
“I’m gutted, I’m proud of what the players gave us. Lots of endeavour and commitment.
“After what we put in we deserved a draw. Defensively, across all three units, defensive, midfield and attack, we were brilliant.
“Maybe we should have been a bit braver with the ball but we fought for it from minute one.
“It felt like a sucker punch because I thought we had control.
“For big parts we completely nullified their threat. We were fighting for the badge and fighting for the club.”
Chester started well but found Spalding goalkeeper Peter Crook in top form as the visitors dug in to frustrate their hosts.
The Tulips came more into the game just before the break with Bart Cybulski and Jack Roberts going close.
Both teams shuffled their cards in the closing stages, hoping for an inspired substitution and it was Spalding who gained the upper hand, pushing forward in search of a late winner.
However, it was Chester who found the winner, when Dan Ward struck in the third minute of stoppage time to make it four straight wins for his team.
Dean admitted it was tough going up against full-time teams but said “Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday is difficult, especially against full-time sides.
“We’ve competed admirably in every game though and been on the wrong side of a couple of 1-0s and drew against Macclesfield.
“We’re not far away from being a good side. Defensively we look good, we look composed but when those chances fall we’ve got to be more clinical.
“We’re loving the challenge and every game is exciting.
“We’re here and we’re showing we should be here.”
Tulips: Crook, Olopade, Kelly, Moore, Johnson, Roberts (Fowkes), Pugh, Cybulski (Sani), Ceesay, Byrne, Straughan-Brown. Subs: Wilks, Bendle, Betteka, Fox, Xavier-Jones.
Attendance: 2,267.
* Winger Zaid Betteka joined Spalding following his departure from Birmingham City in time for Saturday’s trip to Chester, having progressed from the Championship club’s academy to the first team.
Betteka (19) made his senior debut two years ago as a substitute in Birmingham’s 2-1 FA Cup victory over Lincoln City.
