Director of rugby Nic Corrigan has challenged Chester  to prove they belong in National League Two North.

The Hare Lane side suffered a  first defeat of the season on Saturday (October 5) as they lost at home to  Sedgley Park.

Corrigan branded the performance as ‘unacceptable’ as the  home side failed to recover from a  start which saw  them 15-3 down after  just 15 minutes.

Tries from Pete  Towers and Pete  Rees gave Chester a  foothold in the game  but Sedgley Park extended their lead at  the break.

Corrigan was left  to rue his side’s mistakes in crucial  areas and says they  must show that they  deserve their place at the level  again – starting with Saturday’s  game with Macclesfield (October 12).

“I think we’re frustrated more  than anything,” said Corrigan.

“Our performance wasn’t acceptable and the players know  that.

“The reality is that if we want to  compete in this league then we  need to up our physicality.

“Sedgley Park bullied us and so  we have got to improve in the  contact area and ruck area.  If we  don’t then Macclesfield will expose us.

“We need to go back to exactly  what was winning us games to  start off.

“We need to be absolutely clear  on what we are doing because on  Saturday it was clear that we  didn’t.

“We now have the opportunity  to really confirm that we can play  in this league.

“I am looking for a performance  on Saturday.”

Macclesfield head to Chester  neck-and-neck, with leaders  Stourbridge having won all five of  their opening matches.

Only points difference is keeping them off top spot.

Corrigan expects a challenging  afternoon at Hare Lane but has  challenged his side  to match the  high-flyers.

“Macclesfield will  come at us with  their big pack and  they have decent  backs,” Corrigan  added.

“It is a test.  People  are coming to test us  and we have to meet  that front on.

“They are a team  that deserve to be  respected and we have got to earn  their respect as well.

“The first we have not done that  was on Saturday.

“I need to see a performance in  every session this week.

“The lads need to perform to get  a shirt on Saturday and I’m looking for character from the players.

“I want to see players with a  winning mind-set and not wallowing in self pity.

“I can forgive mistakes but we  can’t make the same mistakes  twice.  That is when I would look  at personnel.”