CHRIS Casper was left bemoaning his side's defending as they failed to kill off 10-man Chester.

The Bury boss saw his side battle back from Lee Steele's 61st minute opener with two goals in four minutes to edge ahead.

Leading scorer Andy Bishop bagged his 13th goal of the season and Richie Baker was also on target with a fierce 25-yard drive which was too good for Chester keeper John Danby.

But the home side's lead lasted just two minutes when Steele, a second-half substitute, snatched his second to equalise for Mark Wright's side, before being sent-off for jumping into the crowd to celebrate after earlier having been booked for diving.

"The referee didn't have much choice but to send him off," said Casper.

"But I sympathise with Mark and Chester. It's a stupid rule, and happened to us earlier in the season when John Fitzgerald got sent-off the same way. There's got to be a bit of common sense.

"We were not great, but we fought, battled and were disappointed not to have won."

If Bury can beat Chester in the replay they will face Ipswich at home in the third round.