A stoppage time equaliser from Chester denied Stockton Town an FA Cup upset.
The Anchors took a surprise lead when Stephen Thompson fired another special strike.
Stockton held out until added time but Connell Rawlinson glanced in to force a replay on Tuesday night.
The Anchors were making their first appearance in the Third Qualifiyng Round of the FA Cup. They had beaten another National League North side in Marine in the Second Qualifying Round.
Michael Dunwell was again without Captain Adam Nicholson who was away, Tom Coulthard was once again given the captaincy.
Michael Fowler, who scored against Marine in the last round, was given the nod up front again.
Chester, who have been flying in the National League North, had the game’s first chance when the ball broke for Charlie Caton but he was prevented by a quality save from Nathan Harker.
Harker was again there to thwart Caton again with a good save.
Chester did have the ball in the net just past the half hour mark but it was ruled out for offside.
Michael Fowler had a chance with ten minutes of the first half remaining when Lewis Leech worked the ball into his path but he fired over.
Half Time: Stockton Town 0-0 Chester FC
Stockton had the first genuine effort on goal of the second half when Fowler broke forward but he couldn’t find the necessary power to guide it past Harrison.
Chester finally thought they had broken through Stockton but Harker was again on hand to deny Tom Peers from a one-on-one.
The tie was still very much in the balance and Stockton had a chance at the other end as Owen Gallacher’s cross was headed wide by Glen Butterworth.
Shortly after the hour mark, Stockton took the lead when Stephen Thompson audaciously guided the ball over Harrison in the Chester goal for the opener.
Stockton looked to extend their lead but Fowler was unable to compose himself when the ball broke to him.
Anchors hearts were broken in stoppage time when Chester kept the ball alive and crossed in Rawlinson who glanced a header past Harker.
Full Time: Stockton Town 1-1 Chester FC
The Anchors are now in the hat for the Fourth Qualifying Round and face the long trip to Chester for the replay on Tuesday night.
Stockton Town: Harker, King, Baggs, Painter, Purewal, Coulthard, Thompson (Roberts 82′), Butterworth, Fowler (Sweet 78′), Leech (Henry 78′), Gallacher
Unused Subs: Birtles, Spears, Kennedy, Stephenson
Chester: Harrison, Burke, Weeks, Rawlinson, Peers, Glendon (Turner 71′), Willougby (Murray 93′), Caton, Woodthorpe, Bainbridge, Roberts
Unused Subs: Brown, Hunter, Hancox, Rosenblatt
Goals: 1-0, 62 min, Thompson; 1-1, 90 min, Rawlinson
Attendance: 804
Photo: Harry Cook
