CALUM MCINTYRE says his Chester side is in the “second best kind of scrap” as the business end of the campaign fast approaches.

The Blues are situated fourth in the National League North rankings with 10 matches left to play and next up is tomorrow’s big trip to tackle second-placed Scunthorpe United.

Chester are unbeaten in nine matches heading into the clash following their 1-1 draw with Spennymoor Town last time out.

Team boss McIntyre told Chester FC TV: “There’s a little bit here of loving an over-reaction and because we don’t win, everything’s terrible again. I’m going to be really calm. We’re in a scrap and it’s the second best kind of scrap you can be in.

“You’d rather be in a scrap for a title, we’re not. We’re in a scrap for a play-off position, but you’ve got to be real and go you’re going to play 46 times and you aren’t going to be at your best, but you still have to find a way to win.”

It’s all about making sure his side is in that top-seven come May and McIntyre added: “We’ve just got to get enough points to get in the play-offs and once we get seventh, we then need enough points for sixth and then fifth and then fourth. That’s where I’m at.”

As for targets between now and the end of the campaign, McIntyre stressed: “With 10 games to go, I think we need 12 points - potentially 13 points - for a seventh-placed finish.”

Leaders Tamworth will open their March programme with tomorrow’s home clash against Blyth Spartans.

Other fixtures: Alfreton v Gloucester; Boston v Spennymoor; Brackley v Farsley; Buxton v Scarborough; Chorley v Rushall; Curzon Ashton v Hereford; Darlington v Banbury; King’s Lynn v South Shields; Southport v Peterborough Sports; Warrington v Bishop’s Stortford.