IT'S now 100 not out for Chester boss Calum McIntyre.

Last week's goalless draw at leaders Tamworth marked a century of matches in the Blues' hotseat for McIntyre, who is now preparing for tomorrow's vital clash at home to South Shields.

"I hope to say that I've managed the football club for 109 games," he told Chester FC TV.

"I hope we have them six remaining games and then the three play-off games.

"To have represented the football club that I've grown up at 100 times as the manager, to have had some real adversity. I remember it wasn't a universally popular appointment and I recognise the challenges that come with managing this football club. It is a massive football club for the level and often I've talked about ambition and expectation."

McIntyre, who says Chester probably need to win half of their remaining games to book a spot in the play-offs, added: "My focus is, like I say, as if my life hinges on the next six games and then the three games that would have to come after that and that's where I'm at.

"Same for the players and, look... I don't get the opportunity very often, the best part of those 100 games has been being able to do it with Mike Allcock and Colin Woodthorpe and Luke Davies, and then latterly Neil Ebbrell comes to the club and obviously Mick McLoughlin.

"They're good people, but to get to do it with this group of players, that's the best bit, because I think the world of them and I'm desperate for them to get what I believe they deserve. But we have six games. We know the analogies that we've used in-house all week.

"We've started to get up. It's time to start throwing some punches."

There are away days tomorrow for the leading duo. Front-runners Tamworth, who are 13 points clear, tackle King's Lynn and second-placed Scunthorpe face Warrington.

Other fixtures: Bishop's Stortford v Scarborough; Brackley v Alfreton; Chorley v Boston; Curzon Ashton v Banbury; Hereford v Farsley; Peterborough Sports v Blyth; Rushall v Darlington; Southport v Buxton; Spennymoor v Gloucester.