MATTY HUGHES will forever be grateful to Chorley - but there will be no old pals act tomorrow.

That's because Hughes will head to his old stomping ground of Victory Park with Chester looking to bring an end to Chorley's fine start to the National League North season.

Despite seeing Matt Jansen step down as manager in the summer, Chorley, under new boss Jamie Vermiglio, have been in red-hot form, winning nine and drawing the other one of their 10 games to open up a nine point lead at the top of the table.

Hughes knows the Blues face a stern test of their credentials, saying: "We will relish the game. Just look at when we played Kidderminster, we raised our game.

"It's a game everyone at the club is looking forward to and the law of averages says that their unbeaten run will come to an end at some point.

"They are flying, but we are on a good run of form as well. People can write us off, but the pressure is on those teams at the top to keep winning."

Chorley picked up Hughes after he left Fylde in difficult circumstances, the 26-year-old one of five players charged with misconduct by the FA relating to allegations of breaching strict betting rules.

That chapter is in the past for Hughes, but he's thankful for what the Magpies did, explaining: "I'm very grateful to Chorley, who I hold in high regards.

"I respect everything they've done for me and I still speak to a fair few of the people at the club."

Despite his admiration for Chorley, Hughes knows he has a job to do for Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley's Blues this weekend with friendships put to one side for 90 minutes.

He continued: "I still speak to the captain Andy Teague and a few other people there, but they will be no mates of mine when the game starts.

"I'm good mates with a lot of the people at Chorley, but there will be no old pals act this weekend until after the game has finished and hopefully we've got the points we want."

Will Hughes celebrate if he adds to the two goals he scored as the Blues ended Kidderminster's unbeaten run 10 days ago?

"I don't think so," said Hughes. "After what they've done for me I don't know what I would do if I scored.

"I wouldn't mind a goal though.

"It's all about the team though for me. We want the three points."

In the opposition camp, Chorley captain Teague knows it will be a confident Chester squad that visit Victory Park.

He said: “They have picked up form in the last five games after a poor start. “They are a good team with two managers who know how to win in this division.

“But Vermo deservedly won manager of the month and we just want to keep this unbeaten run going.”

Vermiglio, who won August's top boss honour, insists his side must not ease off after a flying start to the campaign.

“Our number one goal is to be promoted," he said.

“All we’ve done is had a good start. The main challenge comes in finding an overall consistency in performance through the season.”

Chester supporters have until 4pm today to get their tickets for the clash with Chorley, who have former Blues loanee Josh O'Keefe and ex-Vauxhall Motors midfielder Josh Wilson in their ranks.

The game is all-ticket and fans will be segregated with no sales tomorrow.

Elsewhere in the National League North, second placed Kidderminster Harriers host Altrincham and Telford, in third, make their way to Blyth Spartans with Bradford PA heading to fellow play-off hopefuls Alfreton.

Kevin Wilkin's Brackley entertain Southport, while Darlington host Stockport, FC United of Manchester visit Nuneaton, and York tackle Marcus Bignot's Guiseley.

Boston make their way to Curzon Ashton, Hereford host Spennymoor and Ashton United entertain Leamington.