STOURBRIDGE were left feeling robbed by the ref after a thrilling clash with Chester ended in a controversial draw.

Stour's recent return to good form looked set to continue against the team who started the day second in National League Two North when Llyr Griffiths made the most of a chance from a turnover to bag a try on six minutes.

Gareth Simpson added the conversion but Chester were level three minutes later when Thomas Foden strolled through for a try converted by James Robins.

Dan Rundle restored the host's lead when he dashed in for a try after a slick passing move, the speedy winger added another on 25 minutes following an offload from James Seabrook.

Simpson added the extras and an confident Stour side were on top.

Chester's impressive number 8 Shay Owen capitalised from a scrum five metres out after Stour's Nick Murphy was yellow carded to make the score 19-12 at half time.

Stour took just three minutes from the restart to secure a bonus point when Hal Riley collected the ball after a scrum and ran through for a try close to the posts, which was converted by Simpson.

Again it was Owen who kept Chester in touch with a try after dinking inside from wide when the ball was fed out from a drive deep in Stour territory, Callum Bennett got the conversion.

Stour's defence held out well as Owen latched on to some incisive attacking kicks but as the half wore on the hosts pushed up to keep play in Chester territory.

On 75 minutes a lengthy spell on the Chester line appeared to have ended in a Stour try but, as the Black Countrymen retreated for a restart, referee Phil Davies appeared to be suffering from cramp and off his feet.

After a long delay the ref got to his feet and indicated no score, claiming he had not seen the ball grounded for the try because he was on the floor injured.

Stour's pain was doubled when Chester broke forward and Michael Craven scored from a rolling maul in the 39th minute.

Joshua Morris converted to make the final score 26-26.