Chester FC boss Jon McCarthy hailed strikers James Alabi and Kane Richards after they fired his in-form side to a second successive 3-0 success.

Richards set Chester on their way to an ultimately comfortable home victory over basement boys North Ferriby United before Alabi sealed it with a penalty and a thumping finish.

The frontmen have now scored six goals each this season and are level with captain Tom Shaw at the top of the Blues' scoring charts.

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And McCarthy said: "Kane Richards and James Alabi are starting to prove us right.

"There is the potential to maybe hit some of those targets we've talked about.

"They've hit six goals between them in the last three games. We know they're young, they're raw, they're developing, but actually they are capable of reaching that 20-30 goals between them that we talked about.

Kane Richards fires Chester FC in front

"That's the bit I see all the time, I see that potential, so I'm delighted people are getting a taste of it.

"I feel like Kane has moved on considerably in the last three games, maybe longer than that, but I've seen a real change in him, in terms of maturity, and pace, and drive and belief.

"James gets some criticism, which I don't understand. You know me, I'm his biggest fan, but when the fans get behind him, you can see what he can do. I want our fans to understand him better and see what he's got because he gets people off their seat.

"His technique, his touch, the power, the pace, he's an outstanding finisher... I find it hard that people don't see it. I see it all the time. I know he has the potential."

The victory moved Chester, who have now lost just once in their last 16 league games, up to eighth.

But they had to be patient with North Ferriby holding out until the 52nd minute when Richards opened the scoring.

James Alabi hammers home his penalty

McCarthy said: "My lads were excellent. They played a lot of really good football. These are pressure games for us.

"At half-time people were frustrated but we've been in that position quite a lot already this season when we're 0-0 at half-time and everyone is expected us to win the game.

"It's about being patient. I was delighted with the way we came out in the second half, as we had done in the first half, and just carried on, and their application and attitude to repeat the same things over and over again.

"We dominated for 35 minutes but every team will have a spell and their spell came at the end of the half. If they'd have started well and we'd come into the game and dominated, people would have come off the pitch feeling better.

"People forgot how well we played in the first 35 minutes without having the last bit. I wasn't worried, there was no criticism at half-time as I was delighted with how they'd been.

"Eventually they got their rewards and there were some sparkling football and outstanding performances."