Stevenage Borough and Chester City had to settle for a point apiece from a disappointing 0-0 draw at Broadhall Way.
In the opening minutes new signing Robert Gill went close for the Blues, but fired wide of Lionel Perez's goal.
The Visitors went even closer seven minutes before the interval as defender Wayne Hatswell thumped a header against the woodwork from Kevin McIntyre's accurate corner.
Graham Westley's side had created little of note up to half time and the game failed to liven up after the restart, with both goalkeepers enjoying quiet afternoons.
Twenty minutes from time Boro brought on summer signing Rocky Baptiste to try and pep up their attacking options, while the visitors introduced debutant Ian Foster to do likewise.
However, neither move proved decisive as the game drifted to a goalless conclusion.
On a sweltering afternoon in Hertfordshire, a crowd of 2,502 left having seen neither side live up to their hopes of challenging for promotion at the end of the season.