Chester bosses Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley will keep faith with their tactical approach despite their side's defensive horror show at Blyth Spartans.

Operating with a three-man defence with wing-backs to good effect in their opening two league games, Chester's side looked settled in the managers' preferred formation.

The flaws in that system were ruthlessly exposed in their 8-1 mauling at Spartans, but Johnson says the approach will not be scrapped.

He said:"We have tried to impose a shape on the team that can get us playing how we want to play. As with any shape there are ways the opposition can beat you and exploit you.

"Blyth exploited us in a massive way, they tore us to pieces and that's because some of our play was suicidal at times.

"They were able to systematically break us down constantly because we weren't doing our jobs properly and it just became catastrophe.

"But when the system we've implemented here is executed properly it can be a success. It's worked for us at the start of the season and this week has been isolating where things went wrong and eradicating those mistakes quickly."

The Blues managers are keen to restore some pride among Blues fans after witnessing their heaviest defeat in 52 years.

And the pair have demanded a response from their side in tomorrow's game, urging their players not to 'clam up' under the scrutiny of last week's result.

"Of course it hurts and it will do for a while, but we want to see a response from the players and a quick one2 said Johnson.

"After a pasting like that we've had to lick our wounds a bit this week, but what we don't want is for the players to clam up on the back of that kind of result.

"The most important thing is that we learn from this and isolate the mistakes we've made so they don't happen again.

"There have been a few harsh words spoken since the game and we've shown the players various clips from that game and highlighted all the weaknesses we've found.

"To be fair, Bernard and myself are hyper-critical of the players even when we've won games.

"There are individual errors and things we've not done well collectively in there and we've gone over each aspect of that.

"It's the same process win or lose as far as we're concerned, because there is always room to improve and the players know that.

"As managers we do everything we can to improve players and hopefully they'll buy into what's been said.

"We need to prove to the fans that last weekend was a one-off and play like a team they can be proud of again.

"Now we're looking for leaders and characters out there on the pitch. Players who can pull some of the younger lads through and show the qualities we're asking for."

Chester will be without Shaun Tuton for the clash, with the forward set for a move to league rivals Spennymoor Town.

Earlier this week the north east club provided the Blues with seven days notice as they attempt to lure the 26-year-old former Barnsley striker.