Believe it or not, but Chester could still have a major say in the destination of the National League promotion race.

Last weekend’s goalless draw with play-off contenders Aldershot Town followed in the wake of good performances – albeit in 2-0 defeats – at the hands of Dover Athletic and bitter rivals Wrexham, yet these improved efforts will no doubt have alerted those still to play Marcus Bignot’s strugglers of a team who are threatening to cause a major upset.

Bignot accepts his players could have ‘downed tools’ given they are now almost-certain to be relegated, but can take great heart going into Saturday’s clash at high-flying Sutton United, before facing fellow top five sides Macclesfield Town, Boreham Wood and Tranmere Rovers.

“You look at our recent run, and we’ve fared well of late in terms of performances,” he said.

“We’ve put some really good performances in against teams that are going to be up there. That’s been encouraging. Against Aldershot it probably wasn’t the performance we ultimately wanted but we got the result, and that’s how crazy football is at times.

“No one can question what we’re giving. They could have easily downed tools, thought about the summer holidays. We would like to be better on the ball, but we’ve found ways of getting results.

“They’ve shown a way of getting a result. Now, this Saturday it could be a different way of trying to go and get a result. But whichever way it takes us, let’s find that way and let’s grow, learn and develop as we move forward.

“I’m really pleased with this young group in terms of what they’ve taken on in the circumstances and how they are evolving.”

Bignot has been unable to hide his delight having persuaded Chester’s board to sanction an approach to bring former boss Neil Young back to the club last week, appointed in an advisory capacity to the manager after he left Halifax Town earlier this month.

Since the departure of chief executive Mark Maguire in January, deals with players, contract negotiations and liaising with the new-look board are all tasks which have fallen at Bignot’s door, but Young’s presence now means he can get back to managing his team on the training pitch.

“It’s massive having Neil here. I believe this football club needs direction, and with Neil coming in it will give the club that direction,” continued Bignot, who could have Matty Waters back available for the weekend, although Jordan Gough is set to remain sidelined.

“I need support, it’s well-documented, he’ll help in so many ways because there’s so much that goes on and it’ll allow me to focus on being a manager and preparing the team to play very difficult and good football teams like we did against Aldershot.

“He’ll take away a lot of the off-field stuff that I’ve been caught up in. He’ll be a great support to me but more importantly he’s a super accusation for this football club and what it needs driving forward.

“We’ve done great so far in terms of still having a football club, but what does that club now want to look like moving forward? The right decisions need to be made by the right people and having Neil in, a football person who can bring his expertise in, not just on the football field but also on the club side and the direction we need to go.

“When I made the approach, we hit it off straight away and I proposed it to the working group. If I’m honest I didn’t think it was going to happen, but when Dave Felgate left, there was an opportunity and I’m absolutely delighted he’s in the building.

“I spoke to him on the Friday night and he was still at the Cheltenham races! I needed him, and he was enjoying himself at Cheltenham, having a day of winning and drinking, so I should’ve asked that when I approached him!”