Head coach Dave Craven has warned his Chester RUFC team not to treat National League Two North basement club Stockport lightly this weekend.

Chester ground out a 23-19 win at Broadstreet to keep the pressure on third-placed Harrogate and have an excellent chance to make it three wins in a row when Stockport, who have lost 10 from 10 on the road, come to Hare Lane on Saturday (3pm).

In a see-saw game at Ivor Preece Field, the lead changed hands five times and Craven admitted it was a match his team would probably have lost a month ago.

“I’d probably agree with that and defence was certainly a big part of it,” said Craven.

“Our defensive effort was superior to theirs but then their tight ball was better than ours. They won more ball in the scrum and all of their line-outs, and we made quite a few unforced errors again.

“Broadstreet are not a bad side and are certainly a better side that their league position suggests. Like every team in this league, they were very solid down the middle so it was a pleasing win.”

Ex-Broadstreet player Craig Ross gave Chester an early lead against his former club, stepping through the defence and crossing out wide. Will Goodwin adding the extras for a 7-0 advantage.

Ben Palmer’s penalty brought ‘Street within four points but Ross then turned provider to create a score for flanker Mike Craven, again Goodwin landing the conversion.

Broadstreet ended the half strongly and a powerful scrum resulted in the award of a penalty try, which Palmer converted to leave Chester with 12-10 up at the break.

Guy Ford was sent to the bin in the second-half but some dogged defence restricted the Coventry club to four Palmer penalties, although that did move them into a four-point lead.

However, the determined visitors went back in front soon after as Rhys Hayes scored in the corner to give them a 17-16 advantage.

Back came Broadstreet once more and another penalty from the boot of Palmer meant Chester would have to come from behind to win, which they did thanks to two Goodwin penalties as he punished some late indiscipline from the hosts.

Craven, whose team are six points behind Harrogate, has challenged his players to maintain the improvement shown over the past couple of weeks against Stockport.

“There’ll be no change from us and we’ll just keep trying to improve,” said Craven.

“We made some small mistakes last weekend that can make a big difference and we have to keep working on cutting them out. Stockport are not having the best of seasons so we have to ensure there is no complacency from us.”

Christleton recorded a 29-5 win at home to Manchester 2nds to keep up the title push in Division Three South. The Swans have no game until February 7 when they host Broughton Park 4ths, who are second.

Helsby lost 27-0 at home to top of the table Ramsay in South Lancs/Cheshire Division Three and do not have a fixture this weekend.

Chester 2nds, who have not played since January 3, travel to Sedgley Park 2nds in the Bateman BMW Premier League.