CHESTER FC can kill off Chorley’s championship chances by winning Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash.

That is Neil Young’s verdict before the all-ticket battle between two of the four teams involved in the title tussle.

Chester boss Young, whose side will be roared on by more than 700 Blues supporters at Victory Park, said: “Chorley are definitely in the race and I’m sure their manager Garry Flitcroft and his staff aren’t giving up on the title just yet.

“But we’re four points clear of them with three games in hand so if we win it would need us to implode significantly for Chorley to pip us to the title.

“I’m not saying that couldn’t happen but I certainly wouldn’t expect that to happen.”

Young, however, has told his players their performances must improve, starting with the big match with the Magpies.

Although the Blues returned to winning ways on Saturday at home to Mickleover Sports, the manner in which they laboured to what should have been a routine victory concerned their manager.

Young said: “It was probably the most disappointed I’ve been after a game since our defeat at Nantwich. I just didn’t expect the way we played given it came after the best training session we’ve had as a group in a long time.

“If we’re going to win the title we can’t have those type of performances.

“But to be fair to the lads they have been fantastic for most of the season and I expect them to pick up the baton at Chorley and kick on.”

Chorley, Hednesford Town and crisis-hit Northwich Victoria all dropped points on Saturday as Chester opened up a three-point lead at the top.

Vics now fear their home defeat to Marine will be the last game they will play at the Victoria Stadium. The 138-year-old club have been left homeless after the sale of their ground to chemical firm Thor Specialities went through this week.

Northwich’s FA Trophy home tie on Saturday has been moved to Macclesfield Town’s Moss Rose but it is unclear where they will stage their remaining home league matches.

Vics yesterday appointed former Shrewsbury Town and Preston North End boss Paul Simpson as their new manager.

Kick-off at Chorley on Saturday has been moved forward to 1pm on police advice.