WHEN the going gets tough, Calum McIntyre is delighted that his Chester side gets going.

A busy festive spell in National League North opens for Chester with tomorrow’s trip north to Blyth Spartans and boss McIntyre says his players perform well in adversity.

“I think where the players deserve massive credit is they’ve always responded really well to the busy periods,” he told Chester FC TV.

“So, if you think the run of away games... our points return over the last 10 games, we’re in the top-three in the division and that’s really, really pleasing for us and something I’m really pleased about.

“I just would have wanted a little bit more from the performance today. I use that phrase, a missed opportunity. We’ll be ready for that.

“What I think you’ll see with our group is an improvement, because you’re seeing that at the moment, sort of what I would talk about blocks, but we are improving.

“So, from a disappointing start, we’re then picking up more points, starting to pick up more points on the road.”

Reflecting on those currently out of action, McIntyre said: “I have tried to not talk about injuries... ours is just because they’re in forward positions.

“It’s not the volume of injuries. You will lose Liam Edwards, he will miss one game, but today in terms of unavailability, you’ve got Kole Hall back for the first time in however long.

“Adam Thomas wearing a cast in the stands. Tom Peers still out with a broken foot.

“Charlie Caton out with an injury, but more illness as to why we couldn’t give him any minutes.

“Now, that’s really challenging to be hit in that one area of the pitch and what you’ve seen is our best performances... are when we’ve got the competitive, different forward options.”

Leaders Scunthorpe face a trip to Buxton tomorrow, while second-placed Tamworth go to Peterborough Sports.

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

National League leaders Chesterfield, eight points clear at the top, host Aldershot tomorrow.

Other fixtures: AFC Fylde v Dagenham & Red; Barnet v Boreham Wood; Eastleigh v Dorking; FC Halifax v Rochdale; Kidderminster v Southend; Oldham v Gateshead; Oxford City v Solihull Moors; Wealdstone v Hartlepool; Woking v Maidenhead; York v Ebbsfleet; Bromley v Altrincham.