KEVIN ROBERTS is glad to have points on the board rather than games in hand as Chester continue their National League North title challenge against Bradford Park Avenue tomorrow.

Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley’s side head to the Horsfall Stadium on the back of a 1-0 win over Guiseley in midweek which leaves the Blues sitting second in the table.

Tuesday’s clash was Chester’s 16th outing of the season and they have played more matches than anyone else in the division.

Although teams have up to six games in hand on Chester due to Covid-19 related postponements, defender Roberts would prefer to be in the Blues’ position and not playing catch-up, especially with the potential for even more fixtures to be called off.

“We are in a good place,” said Roberts, whose sixth minute header secured victory over Guiseley.

“We have played a few more games than other teams but I think that is a bonus.

“We don’t want to be playing game after game come February because there are going to be games called off with the weather now never mind Covid-19.

“There are teams who have got four or five games in hand on us which looks good but at the end of the day, I wouldn’t want to be playing Saturday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday come March so I am happy we have got the points on the board.”

Chester are four points behind leaders Gloucester having played the same number of games and although he won’t give up on trying to clinch automatic promotion, Roberts says a play-off spot was always the minimum target.

“The aim has always been promotion,” said Roberts.

“With what has gone on and the budget being cut, winning the league would have been a difficult target, not that we can’t do it and not that we won’t be trying to do it.

“But the play-offs were definitely a realistic target at the beginning of the season.”

Roberts, who rejoined Chester for a second spell in the summer of 2019 after leaving arch rivals Wrexham, feels there is good competition for places in the Blues squad.

“We are in a good position and we have got points on the board,” said Roberts.

“The managers will want to keep everyone fit because we have got a small squad at the minute but everyone is at a similar level and we are all fighting for places.

“It is not like a big difference in ability. It is 16 players and everyone could start so we are in a good place.”