CALUM MCINTYRE says Chester will revel in their underdogs tag against Wrexham.

The young Blues entertain their arch rivals in tonight's FA Youth Cup second qualifying round tie.

Chester, who overcame Sandbach and Marine to reach this stage of the competition, went into those games as favourites but McIntyre doesn't mind that Wrexham are expected to progress.

"Every time we seem to play anyone that's not in our league we get tagged as underdogs," McIntyre told the official club website. "That's fine, we will roll with that.

"Us going into the qualifiers at the first stage, are we seen as a bigger fish in a big draw whereas in this round the National League clubs come in.

"AFC Fylde, Salford and Wrexham would be the big three that come in.

"I have made no secret of what an opportunity to draw Wrexham here. They are a Football League side at youth level, let's pay them that level of respect that they play in the Football League Alliance, they have retained that place.

"There is a status that comes with that."

But McIntyre insists Wrexham will have to live up to their billing as favourites.

"For many people we are seen as a really good non-league youth team and regardless of status at first team level, we are going up against a Football League side," he said.

"However, that is not easy being the favourites in a tie. You saw at Sandbach and you saw the opening 20 minutes at Marine, it is not easy to win a game you are expected to win.

"We have always been written of, I always have here, and that is fine.

"There is no worries from me about the opposition being perceived as favourites, we have got form for delivering when it matters and it certainly won't frighten us the task ahead of us."

McIntyre is looking forward to the cross border derby but says going through to the next round is all he is thinking about.

"It is Wrexham and without getting wrapped up in a derby element, it is the FA Youth Cup and our ambition is to progress," added McIntyre.

"However, it is the opportunity to test yourself against what are geographically your closest rivals.

"There will be a contingent in our dressing room who have been released from Wrexham in the past, that adds an individual motivation for them.

"We are as good as the sides in that Football League Alliance in my opinion, that for me is the biggest motivation going into this game."

"They are exciting nights when they come around," said McIntyre. "In the qualifiers they come around quick so it is two weeks since we want to Marine.

"The camp is buzzing because we have been pleased with our progress in the competition.

"We haven't quite been able to transfer that in terms of results in the league but we have gone about our business very well in the Youth Cup so there is an excitement there.

"I know the lads certainly enjoyed the draw and seeing the competition!"