Calum McIntyre was overjoyed to see his Chester youngsters deliver a long-awaited away win at Barrow.

The Blues had failed to register a victory on the road since beating Ebbsfleet in the first week of January but grabbed a well-deserved success on the final day of the season at Holker Street, goals from Jordan Archer and Tom Crawford condemning Ady Pennock’s side to defeat.

Although the visitors stayed up owing to Woking’s 2-1 defeat against Dover, it was Chester’s caretaker boss who left the happier of the two managers, as the Blues, who fielded four academy graduates, registered a second win in four matches since relegation was confirmed.

“Andy and Tom Crawford have really significant roles in this team. I can’t talk about Tom anymore, I told everyone at the start of the season that he is a proper player and he was top drawer. For him to get his goal, to cap off his breakthrough season, I won’t lie it means the world to me. With all the youth team coaches on the bench, it was great for them to share it with him and I might just bottle that one up.

“Andy Halls is a real grafter. Everyone has been outstanding though, the supporters were outstanding, everyone has mucked in.

“Praise to the players, for the way they have motivated themselves today. The easy thing today would’ve been to throw the towel in. Everyone said we’d roll over and I was borderline offended because the group of players are better than that, and as a group of people as well.

“The young players wanted to impress. Matty Thomson performed way beyond his years. He was up against Grant Holt, he’s had some career, and Thommo is now in the ice bath because he needs to play for the under 18s!

“The manner of the performance was really positive, and the players wanted to demonstrate their strength. They gave a performance to be proud of. I’ve overseen it but it’s very much from them. They wanted to do something for the supporters before and after the game today and I think they’ve done themselves proud.”

For McIntyre, his spell in charge of the first-team is over with the 24-year-old set to hand over the reins to the new manager, who could be confirmed as early as Monday.

Interviews took place last week, with the Blues board having narrowed their search down to the final two candidates, with bookmakers believing it to now be a straight fight between former Leeds United boss Neil Redfearn (6/4f) and ex-Boston United and Mansfield manager Adam Murray (9/4), the pair heading the market as clear favourites with the odds compilers BetVictor.

"We've got a new managerial appointment to be announced in the next couple of days," club chairman David Harrington-Wright explained.

"We need the new manager to come in, use the youth players, use their contacts and build a team for next season.

"It's down to two and that's now out for consideration. Final talks are taking place with the two candidates to find out exactly which one is the best man for the job."