Chester FC will be aiming to put the disappointment of last weekend's 1-0 defeat at Gateshead behind them this weekend – but they'll have to do it the hard way.

The Blues travel to league leaders Cheltenham Town on Saturday (3pm) who haven't lost in 12 and who come into the clash on the back of a November that saw them win three and draw one of their four games, scoring 12 goals and conceding just one.

Gary Johnson's men have been formidable so far this term but Chester can take heart from August's 1-1 draw at the Lookers Vauxhall Stadium, where the Blues considered themselves unlucky not to take maximum points from the contest.

With plenty of talent available for the Whaddon Road outfit, we take a look at who could prove to be pivotal for Johnson's promotion chasers.

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Billy Waters

Released from League One side Crewe Alexandra during the summer, 21-year-old attacking midfielder Waters raised a few eyebrows when he made the switch to non-league football with the Robins.

He had played a squad role for the Alex during the previous season but has become a key cog in Johnson's squad this season, with his quick feet and eye for goal helping him top the scoring charts for the club in the league with nine.

His ability to create as well as finish makes him a deadly customer at non-league level and he has proved the orchestrator of much of Cheltenham's forward play so far this term, despite having to contend with coming off the bench earlier in the season.

Keeping a tight leash on the forward will be key to the Blues limiting the offensive fire-power of the high-flying Robins.

Cheltenham Town manager Gary Johnson
Cheltenham Town manager Gary Johnson

Jack Munns

When 21-year-old Munns arrived on trial at Whaddon Road during the summer, manager Johnson could hardly have imagined that the youngster would turn into one of the stand out performers so far in the National League.

The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has shone for the Robins so far and has firmly established himself in the first XI for the promotion chasers.

Small in stature but big in heart, Munns has netted seven times in the league from midfielder and his trickery and pace is a real threat for the Gloucestershire side.

When signing Munns during the summer, Johnson told the Gloucestershire Echo: “He's a very good footballer and probably what's held him back is his stature.

"He's small but strong and I've never been frightened of playing small players if they are good enough.

"He can play anywhere across the midfield or just behind the front man. He’s got a bit of quality and can pick people out with the right pass at the right time.”

Dillon Phillips

One of the key factors in Cheltenham's charge to the top of the league has been on-loan Charlton Athletic keeper Phillips.

Despite only being 20, Phillips has shown maturity beyond his years during a hugely successful loan spell, keeping 10 clean sheets so far this term.

A superb shot stopper, excellent organiser and confident in dealing with set pieces, Phillips handed the Robins a major boost this week when his loan spell from the Valley was extended until the end of the season.

Johnson told the Gloucestershire Echo: "He has become a massive part of what we're trying to achieve here and I am sure he is pleased to be given the chance to see that through.”