THE Blues have the chance to take a massive step toward securing the title tomorrow with victory at Curzon Ashton (7.45pm).

Neil Young’s table-topping team will move nine points clear of second-placed Skelmersdale United if they replicate the result they achieved yesterday against Cammell Laird.

A second-half brace from top-scorer Michael Wilde ensured Chester returned to winning ways and meant they took full advantage of Skem’s defeat at Chorley.

Blues boss Young said: “I thought we played very well.

“We had a number of chances in the first half, hit the bar and their goalkeeper also made a very good save from Chris Simm. So we had to be patient.

“There have been times this season when the crowd and the players have got a little bit nervous and we have conceded. But today I thought we were in control of the game for the 90 minutes and we should have won by more. So I’ve got to give the lads credit.”

Young also deserves praise for implicating a new-look and attacking 3-5-2 formation that his players took to with aplomb.

With wing-backs Michael Aspin and Chris Williams offering width and penetration down the flanks and Simm leading the line superbly, Chester produced an excellent team performance at the opportune time.

The only sour note came when a small section of the sun-kissed Exacta Stadium crowd chose to boo Young’s decision to substitute the clearly tiring Williams.

Starting his first match in nearly three months, Williams was suffering from cramp after an all-action display in which he linked well down the left with the tireless Iain Howard.

Return to www.chesterchronicle.co.uk tomorrow for a full preview of the Curzon clash.