Chester put Saturday’s disappointing defeat at Bradford (Park Avenue) behind them last night with a 2-0 home victory over Blyth Spartans. Goals from Craig Mahon and George Waring in the second half ensured that the Blues remain in eighth spot, just outside the play-off positions.

A delighted joint manager Anthony Johnson said after the victory: "It was a complete performance, we’ve beaten a good side there that has given us a walloping. You don’t beat Blyth without every single player being on it. We’ve had good chances and I’m made up for the lads.”

“They took some criticism from me and Bernard and the supporters, and rightly so, but what they showed is what we have believed all along. The reason we get upset with them is because we know how good they can be. That was the first time we have been able to put the same XI out for God knows how long and they have been fantastic and I'm made up for them.”

“We didn't allow them out and our press was like it was four or five months ago, like it was against Boston. If sides want to come on our patch and try and play and dictate then it's not going to happen. But to do that then all the lads have to be on it. The work rate and intensity off the ball was brilliant.”

Chester will be looking to improve on their dreadful away form when they travel the short distance to play-off rivals Altrincham on Saturday. The Robins sit one place above Chester with a game in hand, and are looking for the double after a 2-1 success at Chester in mid-November.

Despite a well taken goal from Akwasi Asante on his return from injury, Chester’s run of poor form continued as they were well beaten at play-off rivals Kidderminster Harriers.

Asante gave the Blues the lead at Aggborough on 37 minutes but a well struck equaliser from Declan Weeks and a goalline header from a corner by Joe Ironside gave the home side the half-time advantage.

Harriers had a goal disallowed before Ryan Johnson and Ed Williams found the net in the second period to wrap up a comfortable victory for the home side.

Joint manager Anthony Johnson was critical of his teams effort, he told the Chester Chronicle: “It’s difficult to put into words without effing and jeffing and being aggressive. It’s not acceptable. You come to Kiddy, a full-time side, you’re 1-0 up with seven minutes until half time and concede two disgraceful goals.”

“Second half you are looking for a response and we saw a response, it was the opposite of what we were looking for. It is not acceptable from any of us, from Bernard and me through to everybody else that was not acceptable, that.”

“We got the goal and their supporters were abusing their players and singing anti Kiddy songs and you think ‘brilliant’, let’s get to half time. Then we go and concede two of the most disgraceful goals I can imagine. One where a marker loses the man he marks and another where players are just looking at the ball.”

“We get an hour a week on hour pitch (at the Swansway Chester Stadium) to try and work on what our identity is. But even in the first half when we were 1-0 up that isn’t what we play like, that's not us. The way we get back to where were were three months ago is a long journey, it doesn’t just happen.”