ELLIOTT DURRELL has urged the Chester players to keep believing they can pull off the great escape and retain their National League status.

Durrell, who joined Macclesfield Town last summer following his release by the Blues, is challenging for promotion to the Football League with the Silkmen.

But second bottom Chester are embroiled in a relegation dogfight and Marcus Bignot's side are six points adrift of safety with only nine games to go.

A run of four successive defeats has left Chester, whose season has been blighted by serious financial shortfalls, up against it but Durrell says the Blues need to continue battling for points.

"It is a tough place to be with the financial problems but with all the things going on, there is a group of lads who have still got a job to do," said Durrell. "I hope they pick up results and pull through.

"They need to put a run together and it is not beyond them.

"You have seen in this division that if you can go on a little run, things can soon change.

"They have just got to keep believing and I hope they do it."

It was revealed at the end of January that the fan-owned club needed to find £50,000 to survive the season.

Nearly double that amount has been raised by supporters since then to ensure the Blues will make it through to the summer, earning praise from Durrell.

"Everyone has pulled together which is great," said Durrell. "It is a great club, a family friendly club which is well supported.

"It was great to see them raise that money, they are in the top tied of non-league and that is where they want to stay."

Durrell played in all of Chester's National League games last season, scoring eight times in 42 starts.

He was one of six players released by then Blues-boss Jon McCarthy at the end of the 2016-17 season along with fellow former Wrexham players Johnny Hunt and Blaine Hudson, despite the promise of a new contract.

Having signed a two-year deal with Macclesfield, Durrell has swapped a relegation battle for a promotion challenge.

"I enjoyed a good season at Chester," said Durrell. "We were flying up until Christmas but for whatever reason it did not finish how we wanted it to but we stayed up.

"Me and a few other lads like Johnny Hunt and Blaine Hudson were all offered new deals last January, and would have stayed.

"Chester could have been in a different position.

"They looking at a different direction for this year and for whatever reason, it has not come to fruition and it is in a dark place off the field."

Durrell has no grudges to bear after being released by Chester after just one season.

"These things happen in football and I am in a strong Macclesfield team thriving on being top," added Durrell.

"I am loving every minute, we just want to get over the line. The finishing line is in sight but we have just got to take it one game at a time."