STOURPORT Swifts' postmen and chippies battled their way to a 1-1 at the full-time professionals of Chester City in the third round of the FA Umbro Trophy.

Just two years ago, City were a Football League side while Swifts were still playing their football in the Midland Football Alliance, a massive gulf of four divisions.

But there was little to choose between the sides when they met at the Deva Stadium in a tense Trophy clash.

What Stourport lacked in skill they more than made up for in effort.

A crowd of 1,006 could have seen the Swifts frozen by big match nerves.

But such fears were unfounded as the visitors started the better with Asa Charlton firing an effort over inside the opening four minutes.

Midway through the half Chester's Michael O'Brien sent Mark Beesley clear but he was denied by defender Dave Davies.

The resulting corner saw Dave Brown fire in to the side-netting.

Solid Stourport defending kept City at bay for much of the remainder of the half and Swifts finished the half on the attack, Matt Southwick shooting wide after a Simon Marsh run had been halted by Dean Spink.

There was a scare for the home side on the hour when keeper Brown had to tip a Charlton corner over the bar.

Manager Mark Wright, in his first game in charge of the Nationwide Conference strugglers, sent on substitute Jimmy Haarhoff two minutes later and the former Birmingham City trainee lifted the home side.

With 71 minutes gone he stabbed home Chester's opener after a Beesley shot was only half-saved by Swifts keeper Rob Clarke.

But Chester's celebrations came to an abrupt end when, just three minutes later, Stourport were on level terms.

The outstanding Tim Nicholls pounced on a poor clearance by the home keeper and fed Southwick who in turn picked out Marsh to steer the ball home from 15-yards.

Chester almost grabbed a late victory when the tricky Haarhoff sent Beesley clear but he was denied by an excellent Nicholls challenge.

The Walshes Meadow replay is tomorrow (Tuesday) ko 7.45pm.

SWIFTS: Clarke 8, Mulders 8, Ulfig 8, Southwick 7, Davies 7, T Nicholls 10, Cowley 7 (Dearlove 87), A Nicholls 9, Marsh 8, Langford 8, Charlton 9. Subs (not used): Laker, S Wright, A Wright, Hipkins.