Nic Corrigan has warned this month will be a massive test of whether Chester are serious National League Two North contenders.

Four wins in a row have lifted the Hare Lane club up to third in the table, the latest a 23-13 success at Sedgley Park last weekend.

Chester go to Birmingham & Solihull on Saturday (3pm) and then face four teams inside the top eight.

Corrigan told The Chronicle he was pleased with the progress his side are making but stressed there was still room for improvement.

Corrigan said: “I think we are starting to mature in this league but we need to look at our execution.

“November is a huge month for us with teams that ooze National League experience, which frankly we haven’t got.

“If we want to be at the top then we have got to be better and that comes from being more ruthless.”

Chester went to Sedgley Park on a high after beating leaders Ampthill and Corrigan had challenged them to keep the feel-good factor going.

He got his wish with another strong second half performance helping them leapfrog the Tigers in the standings.

An unconverted score and a penalty gave Park an 8-6 lead at the end of the first half, two penalties from Will Goodwin keeping Chester in touch.

It was a different story in the second period with the Tigers defence being breached three times with fly half Goodwin, John Ketland and Guy Ford crossing to seal a deserved win.

Corrigan, who cites the work of Andy McAdam and Tim Doig in improving the 2nd and 3rd teams as a big factor in this season’s form, was again impressed with the contribution from the less experienced members of his squad.

“These younger players are starting to push guys with 100 or 150 games for Chester out of the team, let’s not make any bones about it,” he said.

“I look at someone like James Preston who came in and played number 12.

“He’s never played there before for us but he steps in and defends very well and attacks very naturally and you think fair enough to him.”

Birmingham & Solihull are third bottom but have pushed three of the top four close this season and Corrigan expects a tough game.

He said: “They have been as high as Sedgeley Park have been and as high as we want to be.

“Birmingham is a huge city and it’s a club with a great pedigree and we have got to respect that so we need to focus on our processes and being clinical in what we do.”

Christleton kept themselves top of the Division Three South table with a thumping win at Winnington Park 2nds.

Christleton, who have now recorded five successive wins, racked up the points in a 59-7 victory and entertain mid-table Wilmslow 3rds on Saturday (2.15pm).

Helsby remain rooted to the foot of South Lancs and Cheshire Three after going down 48-3 at second-placed Congleton and host neighbours Ellesmere Port on Saturday (2.15pm).