BERNARD MORLEY has challenged his Chester players to build on their vital midweek victory when they take on National League North leaders Chorley.

A battling 1-0 win at Darlington on Wednesday moved the Blues to within four points of the play-off spots, with Simon Grand’s first half header proving decisive.

Chester joint-manager Morley was left underwhelmed by his side’s performance, but insisted the result on the night took precedence.

He said: “It was all about the three points.

“The performance wasn’t the best we’ve seen this season but to come here and keep a clean sheet and get back on the road with three points is what we came for.

“Over the 90 minutes they were the better side and in possession they were better and they were sharper.

“We came for three points and that’s what we’ve got. We didn’t create as much as we would have liked to but three points is what we have achieved.

“We could have played really well and lost the game. So three points and a clean sheet is good - our away record hasn’t been great so we have been able to add to that tally and it breeds confidence for Saturday.”

If Chester are to clinch successive league wins they will need to produce a stronger display against a Chorley side chasing their 23rd victory of the season.

The Lancashire club are in fine form, taking maximum points from their last three outings to open up a four-point lead at the summit.

Morley hopes that a bumper crowd at the Deva on Saturday can spur the Blues to a morale-boosting victory and galvanise their bid for a top seven finish.

He said: “I feel like we have to improve as a side if we still believe we can get in the play-offs but we are another three points closer to what we are trying to achieve.

“Something has got to give over the weekend but let’s concentrate on what we have got to do.

“Our home record and our record against sides in this league there is good and it’s all to play for.

“Nobody wants to play Chester when we are at it.

“We’re really looking forward to Chorley on Saturday and hopefully the crowd comes down and gets behind us.

“They’ve been brilliant for us this season and I’m surmising there will be two-and-a-half thousand there on Saturday so I hope we can put in a performance for them.”

Stockport County and AFC Telford United fans will need to behave themselves after both National League clubs condemned the actions of some of the club’s supporters after their FA Trophy semi-final exits last Saturday.

Two supporters ran onto the pitch after AFC Fylde’s winning goal against Stockport at Edgeley Park while Telford say they received a number of reports of racist abuse after their defeat by Leyton Orient.

“We are embarrassed by the behaviour of the individuals who ran onto the pitch despite the repeated warnings we have issued advising people not to enter the field of play,” a Stockport County statement said.

Telford also issued a statement following the incident: “We can confirm we have also received several reports of an individual who directed racist abuse at an opposition player as well as several supporters who threw a number of objects onto the field of play above the away dugout.”

Both teams are at home again tomorrow with second-placed County welcoming Darlington while Telford entertain Blyth Spartans.

Saturday's other fixtures: Altrincham v Kidderminster; Boston v Curzon Ashton; Bradford PA v Alfreton; FC United v Nuneaton; Guiseley v York; Leamington v Ashton; Southport v Brackley; Spennymoor v Hereford.