CHESTER'S joint manager Bernard Morley believes the timing is perfect for his side to embark on the kind of cup run he enjoyed at Salford City.

In 2015, Morley and his fellow boss Anthony Johnson took the Mancunian outfit all the way to the second round, enjoying televised ties and dispatching the likes of Southport and Notts County along the way.

Video and images by Rick Matthews

And after masterminding a comfortable 4-0 victory over City of Liverpool FC, a result that saw Chester progress to the third qualifying round, Morley was happy to start dreaming about history repeating itself.

"We're obviously delighted with the win and to be in that draw on Monday," said Morley. "It's great for me and John and great for the club financially.

"I think for Chester it is the perfect time this year to do well in the FA Cup because it will put us back on the map and get the support behind us.

"At Salford we never thought we'd get to the fourth qualifying round let alone the second round proper but it's just about belief and if we can replicate half of what we did that year it will be brilliant.

"All of a sudden we think we can win the FA Cup - you win in the next round and everyone stars thinking they'll get Manchester United in the Third Round!

"But we have to hope the draw is kind for us and we get a side we can beat and get the fans behind us - I'm sure they've got that bit of momentum now and a bit of belief and that's what we came here to do - put the club back on the map."

Two first half goals in quick succession from John Pritchard extinguished any hope of a giant killing as City of Liverpool, of the North West Counties Premier League side, found the three tier gap between the two sides a bridge too far on a chilly day at the Deva.

After a confident start from COL, Chester began to take control and should have gone ahead in the tenth minute when Pritchard’s corner was met powerfully by an unopposed Steve Howson whose bullet header went over the bar.

A succession of corners saw the men in purple stand firm but they were almost undone again in the 20th minute when Matty Hughes slipped a lovely ball through to Pritchard down the right only for the midfielder to be defeated by the tight angle.

On the half hour, and with the home support’s frustrations becoming evident, the Blues were forced into a change with the limping Gary Roberts replaced by Cain Noble who immediately displayed his intent with a powerful shot that was skilfully tipped over by keeper Ben Ashcroft.

Minutes later, Noble found himself in the book for a late challenge on Iwan Murray as the Bottle-based side continued to compete well with the impressive Jack Hazlehurst proving a willing runner up front and Paul Williams marshalling the back four well under increasing pressure.

It looked like the visitors would hold out until half time but suddenly the game was turned on its head by Pritchard who latched on to a pass down the middle from Jon Moran and coolly finished past the onrushing Ashcroft who perhaps could have been quicker coming off his line.

COL had barely recovered when Pritchard was at it again as the former Oldham man embarked on a mazy run which ended with the ball again being lifted over the unfortunate Ashcroft with any hope of a cup upset ending moments later with the referee’s half time whistle.

"No disrespect to them but I thought it was only a matter of time before our class shone through and it was a nice time to score because it certainly took the edge of our half time team talk," said Morley.

"City of Liverpool came with a game plan and they were nice and compact in central areas but as soon as we got one they had to open up and before they knew it they were 2-0 down which gave them a mountain to climb but fair play to them they stuck at it and it was a good game for the neutral."

It was hard to see how the visitors could recover from the double blow and things almost got worse immediately after the break when Noble found himself unmarked 10 yards out only to scuff his shot horribly wide with the goal at his mercy as the Chester pressure became unrelenting.

With Murray beginning to find more and more space in the final third, Chester’s dominance was obvious with Noble’s aerial threat a constant worry for the beleaguered back four who were beginning to retreat further and further in the knowledge a third goal would kill the tie.

Eventually the knock out blow came and it was no surprise it was Murray who delivered it as the diminutive midfielder capped a fantastic display with his first goal for Chester after turning in the area and placing a low shot beyond Ashcroft in the 71st minute.

With the game won, managers Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley were able to throw youngsters Lloyd Marsh-Hughes and Matty Thomson into the action with the hosts almost notching up a fourth when Noble’s 25 yard pile driver hit the underside of the bar and the keeper but refused to cross the line.

As injury time beckoned Noble finally got himself on the score sheet after taking advantage of Craig Mahon’s rebounded shot to bury a low drive into the corner and put the seal on a fine week that leaves Chester’s fans dreaming of that elusive cup run and better times ahead as the evening shorten.

"After about 70 minutes I looked at John and said I wanted this game to be over," added Morley. "City of Liverpool are a side who've won their last seven games so no matter how you look at it this was a potential banana skin but we applied ourselves well and respected them a lot and got the job done."