CHESTER defender Danny Livesey believes the pressure on championship chasers Stockport County could work to the Blues' advantage ahead of Tuesday's crunch match between the former Football League rivals.

Around 1,300 Hatters fans are expected to make the short trip to the Swansway Chester Stadium for the all ticket match with high hopes that their side can secure a long-awaited return to the National League after six years away.

But the game is massive for Chester too with Saturday's 3-2 win over relegated Nuneaton ensuring that victory over County could move the Blues level on points with the top seven in the National League North and keep alive their hopes of securing a play off berth.

Livesey, who scored twice from corner kicks against Nuneaton, has been one of the side's stand out performers in recent weeks and following Saturday's win he was confident the side could continue their run of good results.

"It's my first ever brace," he said after heading in the injury time winner which condemned Nuneaton to relegation. "The defender tried to head it off the line but it went in off him so I'm claiming it and I'm happy because I didn't think I'd get one before the end of my career.

"Strangely enough it felt comfortable and it felt like we were never going to concede but then we do off a free kick which is something we pride ourselves in not doing so that was disappointing.

"When we retook the lead I thought we'd go on and win but we never seemed to get away from them and that's what happens at this stage of the season - you get strange results but it's all about winning and no one really cares how.

"When we retook the lead I thought we'd go on and win, but we never seemed to get away from them and that's what happens at this stage of the season - you get strange results but it's all about winning and no one really cares how.

"I know the fans wont be too happy with how we played but I'm sure they are going home happy that we've won."

A similar fighting spirit could come in handy for Chester's remaining fixtures with the former Bolton and Carlisle defender admitting the Blues players have something to prove after a frustrating season.

"We're coming off two away wins now where we've had hard fought games and that's something that's been missing all season. If we'd have got that right earlier we'd be comfortably in the play offs so we're trying to make amends for that and hopefully we can see where it takes us.

"There is a lot of pressure on Stockport and probably more than there is on us. We have an outside chance of making the play offs whereas they are going for the title and every point really matters for them. If we can put pressure on them early doors it should be a really good game especially if they are bringing all their fans with them."

Livesey believes the atmosphere on Tuesday night could also pay a big part in securing a positive result for Chester.

Hopefully we can get the ground rocking and give the fans a performance like we did down there when we played really well," he added.

"The belief is still there otherwise we would have rolled over and gone under against Nuneaton. That's not what we're about - we're a group of lads that know we've let ourselves down on numerous occasions this season but we're determined to at least give everything we've got and fight until we can't get in the play offs."

Elsewhere on Tuesday night, the game at New Bucks Head between AFC Telford and Altrincham could hold huge significance for Chester with the home side currently lying in seventh, just three points ahead of the Blues on 59 points and Altrincham occupying fifth place, on 62 points. Relegated Nuneaton make the long trip to Blyth Spartans who are two points behind Chester while Alfreton host Hereford.