Hughes broke the deadlock in the 18th minute of the contest with a well-taken finish that found the bottom corner. For much of the contest, that goal looked to be enough for Mark Robinson's side.

Yet as the game entered its final stages, Chelsea goalkeeper Max Merrick was finally beaten as Nelson guided a header into the net from close range and earn the Foxes a share of the points.

Even contest

The match was Chelsea's first since early October and that was reflected in our sluggish start. Leicester were the more positive of the two sides and we struggled to find our rhythm in possession.

Yet our first effort on goal resulted in a lead being established. Ronnie Stutter was the architect as he brought down the ball and found Jimmy-Jay Morgan.

The forward intelligently laid his pass to Hughes, who guided a left-footed effort into the corner.

Leicester searched for an equaliser for the remainder of the opening period. Kian Pennant went close as a clearance from Merrick rebounded off the Leicester forward and just past the post, and Alfie Gilchrist almost guided the ball into his own net.

Morgan carried Chelsea's threat and he was unfortunate not to find the back of the net as his effort following a swift counter-attack looped over the goalkeeper but also over the crossbar.

Leicester did fashion another opportunity shortly before the interval as Oliver Ewing found himself with time and space on the edge of the penalty area, but his eventual shot was saved well by Merrick.

Chances created

After the restart, Stutter twice went close to adding to Chelsea's advantage. The young forward first guided a header wide from inside the box before firing into the side netting after exchanging passes with Morgan.

The game then became scrappy and neither side was able to dictate the tempo of the match. It seemed that may benefit the young Blues as the minutes ticked by but, with seven to play, Leicester levelled.

A free-kick into the Chelsea box wasn't dealt with and Nelson had the opportunity to steer a header into the top corner.

Robinson's side reacted to the setback. Stutter again came close with a shot that whistled past the post and deep into second-half stoppage time, a goalmouth scramble saw Leo Castledine hit the post and Donnell McNeilly have an effort cleared off the line.

There was still time for one more chance. It fell to Josh Brooking but he rushed his effort and sliced the ball wide of the post. It meant Chelsea had to settle for a point on their return to Premier League 2 action.

What next?

Next up for the Blues is a International Premier League Cup fixture against Dinamo Zagreb. The game takes place next Tuesday (October 31) at Kingsmeadow.

The teams

Chelsea (3-4-1-2): Max Merrick; Alfie Gilchrist (c) (Ishe Samuels-Smith, 71), Josh Brooking, Dylan Williams; Brodi Hughes, Billy Gee, Sam Rak-Sakyi; Zain Silcott-Duberry (Jimi Tauriainen, 71); Leo Castledine; Jimmy-Jay Morgan (Donnell McNeilly, 82), Ronnie Stutter.

Unused subs: Luke Campbell, Michael Golding

Booked: Alfie Gilchrist, 50; Brodi Hughes, 60

Scorers: Brodi Hughes, 18

Leicester City (4-3-3): Brad Young; Brandon Cover, Harvey Godsmark-Ford, Henry Cartwright, Ben Nelson (c), Tom Wilson Brown, Amani Richards, Oliver Ewing (Bobby Amartey, 46), Kian Pennant, Arjan Raikhy, Chris Popov (Iestyn Hughes, 46).

Unused subs: Ben Grist, Arlo Doherty, Mirsad Ali.

Booked: Harvey Godsmark-Ford 23.

Scorers: Ben Nelson 83.