Ryan Astles reckons results mean Jon McCarthy and Ian Sharps have to be considered 'front-runners' for the Chester FC managerial vacancy.

Back-to-back victories not only ensured the club will be in the National League again next season but also bolstered the claims of McCarthy, who could make it three wins from four against Gateshead this weekend, to succeed Steve Burr on a permanent basis.

The Chronicle understands McCarthy has been short-listed after applications closed at 5pm on Monday and the ex-Northern Ireland international confirmed following the 2-1 win at Grimsby Town on Saturday he would want club captain Sharps as assistant should he be handed the reins.

Astles, who scored the second goal in the success at Blundell Park, believes the pair have manoeuvred themselves into pole positions with the impact made since Burr was sacked earlier this month.

He said: "They've done it for themselves really haven't they in the last couple of games and that's two out of three. Even against Lincoln we were down to 10 men else we could have got something out of that and it's a big, big call now but going forward they look like the front-runners for it.

"It was a fantastic performance against Grimsby and obviously the hard work in training that Macca and Sharpy have got us putting in has paid off. The shape worked and all round it was a good performance.

READ: We took charge of our own destiny, beams Jon McCarthy

"When we went 2-0 up we could tell the home fans were starting to get on their backs and they came at us after they scored but we defended really well and got through it. I think we deserved it overall and we were the better team."

Following his January arrival from Northwich Victoria , Birkenhead-born Astles made his 15th appearance for the Blues in the win over Grimsby.

He netted his second goal for the club when John Rooney, who had opened the scoring with his fifth goal in five games, curled a free-kick to the far post and the defender stretched to head the ball past Mariners keeper James McKeown.

IN PICTURES: Action from Chester's victory at Blundell Park

It has been a steep learning curve for the 21-year-old but one he has met head on and Tranmere Rovers have been linked with a summer move for the centre-back, whose current deal expires at the end of the season.

After a disappointing season for the club, Astles' immediate focus is ending campaign on a positive note with a third straight win now the pressure of relegation has been relieved.

He said: "It was a big step up coming up a couple of leagues and in the first game I thought I did well but I felt it towards the end. In the last couple of games with the training and being able to work well it's starting to come natural now.

READ: Jim Green's verdict on the 2-1 win at Blundell Park

"The win against Grimsby takes the pressure off us going into that last game now and we can play the way we have been and try to get another three points and move up the table."