GRANT SHENTON believes there is nothing to 'terrify' Chester as they continue their National League North promotion push.

The Blues are nine points adrift of leaders Chorley, but firmly in the play-off picture after 26 games.

Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley's men are fifth in the table, moving above Spennymoor Town on Saturday courtesy of a 1-1 draw with 10-man Guiseley.

The failure to find a winner against Guiseley, who had ex-Blue, Andy Halls, dismissed will be a big frustration, but stopper Shenton is confident Chester can kick-on between now and the end of the season.

"The funny thing about the league is that there are not too many standout teams," said Shenton, who was helpless to prevent Kayode Odejayi heading Guiseley into the lead on Saturday.

"Nothing has terrified me. Nothing has made me think 'they will batter us' in terms of teams we are about to play.

"You look at the teams near the top, the likes of Chorley and Bradford Park Avenue, and they've been together for a couple of years and that has helped them get the results they have, whereas we are a new group of players this season."

And with Chester dropping down from the National League, Shenton knows that the Blues have something of a target on their back.

"It's a scalp to beat Chester," said Shenton. "You hear people talking and they all know about Chester, they all want to beat Chester."

That certainly makes life difficult for the Blues, especially away from the Swansway Stadium, where they have won eight and drawn four of 13 outings.

In contrast, Chester's away form has seen them pick up 20 points from a possible 45, a haul that Shenton knows must improve.

"We know that our away form hasn't been good enough," conceded Shenton. "Although saying that, we've had some good results against the top teams.

"There aren't any easy games in the league, but we've got a great home record.

"When we play at our place we are able to exploit the large pitch, which isn't always the case when we play away."

Chester's home clash with Blyth Spartans, meanwhile, will have to be rearranged after Alun Armstrong's men booked a place in the third round of the FA Trophy, where they will face Leyton Orient, who beat Wrexham 1-0.

Blyth Spartans secured a memorable 1-0 success over Boreham Wood, which means that the scheduled National League North fixture with Chester at the Swansway Stadium on Saturday, February 2, will have to be moved, and the Blues made to wait a little longer to try and exact revenge for their 8-1 hammering earlier in the season.