CHESTER CITY last night parted company with three of their backroom staff as they try to find a formula that can shake them out of their recent wretched run of form that has seen the club glean just one victory from their last 10 Coca-Cola League Two outings.

The catalyst for the sackings was Saturday's 5-0 reversal at Carlisle United, which was the latest in a catastrophic run of results.

Assistant manager John Gannon, first-team coach Dave Bell and physiotherapist Clive Goodyear were all dismissed by manager Keith Curle as he attempts to arrest a slump that has seen the club drop from promotion hopefuls to relegation candidates in less than two months.

City chairman Stephen Vaughan said: "The recent sequence of results has been unacceptable. I met Keith on Sunday and we thrashed out a number of issues which included changes in personnel.

"Initially we have made one appointment and that will be announced on Wednesday, and we will monitor and subsequently announce developments as they unfold."

Chester have slipped alarmingly to 17th place, a mere nine points away from Stockport County who lie in the first relegation position. And County are City's next opponents, and Saturday's fixture at the Deva Stadium between the clubs has taken on the mantle of a 'must-win' game for Chester.

There could well be further departures from the Deva Stadium today when some of the players who are currently on loan will be allowed to return to their clubs.

Meanwhile, City's Sean Hessey, who has been out of action for two months because of a knee injury, returned to action last night when he played in City reserves' 3--2 Pontin's League win at Shrewsbury Town - their first victory of the season.

City triallist Paul Tait looked impressive, scoring twice. Chester's other strike came from Gregg Blundell.

Tait, who's been on trial at the Deva for the past week following his release from Rochdale, impressed City management, and may be offered a contract in the next few days.