MARK Wright's Chester City have been fortunate to even be in the third round but there was nothing lucky about the draw which gives them a replay at Ipswich Town.

If anything the men from Deva were unfortunate not have won this exciting FA Cup tie outright and rued missed chances.

Inspired by Spaniard Roberto Martinez and a whole-hearted effort from everyone in blue and white stripes, Chester came close to embarrassing Championship side who have won this competition and just four years ago graced Europe.

With Stephen Vaughan, son and namesake of the Chester chairman going on loan to Rochdale during the week, after getting fed up with taunts from the club' own fans, Martinez took the skipper's armband.

Martinez achieved FA Cup fame of sorts by becoming the first Spaniard to score in the competition, back in 1995 for Wigan against Runcorn in the first round.

Chester's best run came in 1980 when they reached the fifth round and were beaten by Ipswich who won the competition in 1978.

City were fortunate to have been in the third round after being reinstated following Bury's expulsion for fielding an illegible player.

Bury had won a replay 3-1 but fielded Stephen Turnball who was on loan from Hartlepool with the correct documentation in place.

City were determined not to fall into the same trap and left out Lee Steele who had been signed from Leyton Orient but they did not get confirmation that he was registered fully to play in the cup so decided not to chance it.

Blundell thought he had given Chester a shock lead after just 16 minutes after a neat one-two with Walters but was flagged offside as he beat Supple.

City turned own a £25,000 offer from Darlington during the week for the striker who has the dubious honour of holding the League Two record for most offsides.

Blundell might have made a more honourable name for himself midway through the first half when a ball off defender Richard Naylor put him clean through but with only the keeper to beat, the striker hit wide.

Supple was almost embarrassed moments later when a Blundell shot squirmed underneath his body but inched wide.

Supple had to live up to his name to tip away a Blundell chip after nearly being caught off his line. The young Irish keeper did well to save with his feet after Martinez beat Naylor to shoot from a tight angle.

They were lucky let offs for the Championship side whose best early chances came when Legwinski shot from 25-yards and defender Ashley Westwood almost turned a low Matt Richards cross into his own net but was saved by keeper John Danby

Westwood denied Naylor a chance and Danby saved at the feet of Billy Clarke, while Alan Lee hit the crossbar from a Gavin Williams corner and Town substitute Danny Haynes hit a late shot at Danby but in the main it was Ipswich who were hanging on at the death.

The replay is set for Tuesday, January 16.

Star Man: Roberto Martinez

George Davis (Sunday Times)