Leading scorer Ryan Lowe could well play his last match for City on Saturday. In his second spell with the Blues, City were always going to have a problem holding on to the player if they dropped to non-league.

Talisman Lowe has netted 18 goals this season and has a respectable record, during his two Deva spells, of 35 goals in 84+5 appearances. he looks certain to remain in League Two next season

Lowe said: “I don’t think I’m ready to go to the Conference just yet. I was playing League One last season and I don’t think I’m ready to drop down two leagues in the space of 12 months.

Blues manager Mark Wright has indicated that if wanted he would stay with City after they were relegated to non-league on Saturday. Despite a battling 2-2 draw at Aldershot the point was not enough to stop the drop to non-league for the second time in nine years. Mathematically they are still now down but a 20-0 victory over Darlington on Saturday to make up the goal difference on Grimsby Town seems rather unlikely!

Manager Wright told the Chester Chronicle: “It is a very sad day for the club and I feel for the chairman Stephen Vaughan, the supporters and the players. But if you end up with the points we’ve got you don’t deserve to stay in the League.”

“It’s been a long, hard struggle but when you’ve only got 13 professionals, with kids on £45 and £90 a week, then it’s very hard to compete.”

Chester go into their final away game at Aldershot Town tomorrow knowing that anything less than a victory would condemn them back into non-league five years after being promoted as Conference champions.

Three points for the Blues tomorrow would take the relegation drama to the very last game of the season, regardless of what the other relegation threatened sides Bournemouth and Grimsby Town do when they play each other tomorrow.

Manager Mark Wright must wait on the fitness of several players befiore naming his side. Kevin Ellison is the main doubt with Paul Linwood, Shaun Kelly and Richie Partridge all carrying injuries.

Manager Mark Wright said: “I’ve got to make sure that every single player I put out on the field wants to play and work hard for this football club and get us out of this mire.”

“I’ll be asking whether the players are up for the challenge and I’ll be looking each and every one of them in the eye to see whether they are up for the challenge.”

“We need to get inside the players’ heads and make sure they battle. If we can do that then we give ourselves a fighting chance. Some players may feel that we’re going down and maybe they’re looking towards next season because they’ve been tapped up by another club.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if some of my players have already been tapped up by now, but that’s life and it goes on everywhere, but I’ve got to make sure that every single one of my players gives a good performance.”

“I’m going to have a chat with all the players before tomorrow’s match because I feel it’s very important that they all understand what is required. They all under-performed against Bournemouth last weekend and they didn’t listen to what I asked them to do.”

The Shots lie in 15th place and will be looking to end their first season in the Football League on a high after failing to win in their last eight matches, they have only lost at home on four occasions this season though. The Hampshire side will be without Lewis Chalmers through suspension while Dave Winfield, Anthony Charles and Dean Howell all picked up injuries during their 3-0 defeat at Wycombe Wanderers last Saturday.

Midfielder Damien Mozika has been suspended by the football club for what is reported as “serious breaches of club discipline.” The French midfielder, who signed from AS Nancy in the summer, has scored twice in 24+1 appearances for the Blues this season but a hamstring injury has meant he has only played four times this year, the last time during the 3-1 defeat at Barnet in early March.

Club owner Stephen Vaughan said: “The player has been involved in some unacceptable behaviour during the past fortnight, which are without doubt serious breaches of club discipline, and we have been left with no alternative, but to reach this decision.”

“I think my boys have done tremendously well, but when we face a big, organised side like Bournemouth, we didn’t have enough to trouble them. I thought Bournemouth deserved their win and we have to wish them all the best.”

The Blues entertain Bournemouth tomorrow in their most important game since their return to the League five years ago. City currently sit next to bottom of the league a point behind both Grimsby Town and tomorrow’s visitors. A victory for the Blues would leave them two points clear of their relegation rivals from Dorset with just two matches remaining. A draw or defeat would make escaping relegation extremely difficult especially as the Blues have a far inferior goal difference to those teams hoping not to join Luton Town in the Blue Square Premier League next August.

Despite a recent upturn in form Chester have still failed to win a home match in 2009. Manager Mark Wright must wait to see if Kevin Ellison has recovered from injury picked up at Accrington Stanley on Monday. Wright said: “I’m hoping that Kevin Ellison can recover from the injury he picked up because he played so well before he went down. When he went off I feel we missed him.”

Damien Mozika remains a doubt again as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.

The supporters will play an important part in tomorrow’s clash. Wright added: “I feel it is vitally important we get a lot of supporters into the ground so that our players can respond to that situation. The team seem to be more settled away from home rather that when we play at home which is a shame. I think we’ve got to start giving our supporters something to shout about.”

“I want to see Chester City staying in the Football League because it took a lot of hard work to get the club there. The next three games are massive for the club.”

The Cherries have a doubt over defender Ryan Garry though Steve Fletcher looks set to play despite picking up a facial injury in Monday’s home defeat by Brentford. They have lost four of their last five matches that has seen them slip back into the relegation mix.

Chester secured their second away win on the spin as Ryan Lowe’s first half penalty was just enough to bring three precious points back from Accrington Stanley. The Blues completed the double over the Lancashire side. A win for Grimsby Town at Notts County means the Blues remain second from bottom but they’ve gained three vital points over Bournemouth. A win against the Cherries at Deva Stadium on Saturday will lift City two points above the Dorset side who have also to play Grimsby in the final run-in. Manager Mark Wright said after the victory: “At this stage of the season it’s not how we perform, it’s about getting the points. To get points on the board now will help us and will hopefully put pressure on those teams in and around us. The players did exactly the same as they had done in our four previous games up until Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat against Macclesfield.” “The Macclesfield defeat has been a thorn in my side because I thought we should have competed and got something from it. But because we had won a game at Notts County we overplayed and did things that we don’t want to see at this stage of the season.” Picture © Evening Leader

After the heroics at Meadow Lane seven days before City turned in a disappointing effort as they were beaten 2-0 at home by Macclesfield Town to leave them deep in relegation trouble. Fortunately for the Blue,s their closest rivals for the drop Grimsby Town also suffered a home defeat to leave the table as it was.

“We just didn’t turn up first half. They didn’t press anywhere near as much as they have done in the last four games and they didn’t win the second balls.

After being given permission from the Football League to recruit an emergency loan goalkeeper on a renewable seven-day contract, City are still trying to fill the post. John Danby (left) is ruled out for the rest of the season after tearing ligaments in his right shoulder late on in Saturday’s win at Notts County.

Although manager Mark Wright has an idea of who he wants to bring in the club have so far drawn a blank. Wright said: “There’s loads of keepers out there, it’s more a matter of whether they want to come to us because we’re in a relegation battle. So we need to find someone who not only wants to come here, but who is good enough as well.”

the Blues are in action twice over the weekend. On Saturday Cheshire neighbours Macclesfield Town visit Deva Stadium (15:00hrs) then the Blues follow this with a trip to Accrington Stanley on Monday (13:00hrs).

Laurence Wilson is a doubt after picking up an injury at Meadow Lane, though Shaun Kelly

Chester secured their first victory since Boxing Day on Saturday as goals from David Mannix and Ryan Lowe helped City to a 2-1 win at Notts County to close the gap on promotion rivals Grimsby Town to one point.

The victory came at a price though as goalkeeper John Danby had to be helped off the pitch with a shoulder/ collar bone injury three minutes from time resulting in a nervy final period in which Ryan Lowe took the gloves, and despite being beaten by Mike Edwards, held out to earn his side the three points.

The extent of the injury is as yet unknown but the shot stopper looks likely to miss the remainder of the season. With the club currently under a transfer embargo it’s unclear whether an emergency replacement can be brought in. Defender Laurence Wilson also picked up an injury and was replaced by James owen after just 16 minutes.

City had taken the lead on 14 minutes as Mannix was presented with a far post free header from a corner and doubled their lead five minutes after the break as Paul Rutherford took advantage of some hesitancy in the home defence to set up Lowe who made no mistake from close range.

Lowe told the Evening Leader: “After John Danby went down injured I thought it might be best to take the responsibility rather than have one of our younger players go in goal.”

“I’m an older and a more experienced player and I thought if I used my head I could perhaps waste a bit of time. I put my hand up to go in goal when Simon Davies was in charge a couple of months ago, but I found it a bit nerve-racking. I thought we did really well and the lads defended brilliantly.”

City travel to 17th placed Notts County tomorrow