BERNARD MORLEY believes that tomorrow’s FA Cup clash at Dunston UTS is the Chester’s most important game of the season so far.

The resurgent Blues are in the middle of an eight-game unbeaten streak and now head to the north east for a banana-skin tie against the Northern League outfit.

Prize money of £15,000 goes to the victors of tomorrow’s game, with the financial incentives rising sharply in subsequent rounds.

Morley and joint-manager Anthony Johnson led former club Salford City to the second round of the famous competition in 2015, with the pair now eyeing another potentially lucrative cup run.

“The FA Cup means a lot to us” said Morley.

“We haven’t even got through Saturday yet and I’m already looking forward to Monday’s draw, I shouldn’t really say that but it’s exciting. We’ve done well in it before and we want to do well in it again. The lads have got a bit of buzz about them as well because, let’s face it, I was stood here six weeks ago saying we didn’t know where to turn. But since then we’ve gone eight unbeaten, which is a massive achievement at any level of football.

“Financially, Saturday’s game is more important than any game, if we’re being honest. It’s going to be another tough one against a side who will work hard and be hard to beat.

“We’ve been up there before and we’ve always struggled in the north east, but we’ll go with a game plan to win us the match and ensure that we don’t get complacent against lower league opposition, which I’m sure we won’t.

“We want to go there and get a good win and maybe have a couple of drinks on the way home on the coach. With no midweek game it would be nice to enjoy a win.”

Leading scorer Anthony Dudley and influential midfielder Gary Roberts could both feature after missing the last two league games with injury. But the Blues may be without in-form forward Matty Hughes who looks set to miss out with a knee injury sustained after scoring in the 3-0 win over Hereford in midweek.

Hughes was replaced by substitute Deane Smalley, who scored the Blues’ third after fellow sub John Pritchard had also netted. And while Hughes’ absence is a blow, Morley believes Chester’s squad now has the requisite depth to cope.

He said: “When Matty’s scored his goal, I think he felt it tweak and he’s tried to play through it and he’s been pushed off balance and I think it’s given a little bit more. Fingers crossed that it’s not too sinister and hopefully the physios can work wonders with him. He’s hard as nails and you’ve seen with his work rate, desire and determination, he’s a tough nut to crack and he wouldn’t limp off like that if he wasn’t struggling. It’s given Deane the opportunity to come on and it’s that strength in depth that we’re starting to get back now.”

Dunston players and officials got their hands on the FA up this week when the famous trophy was put on show at the club’s Wellington Road ground.

The unbeaten hosts side are the lowest ranked team left in the competition but have impressed after dispatching North Ferriby United, Hebburn Town and Irlam in previous rounds.

And chairman Malcolm James is hoping for a bumper attendance this weekend, saying: “Last Saturday we had nearly 400 here against Consett and hopefully with the interest throughout the region with Newcastle being away we can pull in a few on Saturday and get a few behind us.

“Hopefully Chester will bring a few and if we can match that I think it will be a great day.

“We have a good side and they love it when they get the support.”