CHESTER'S Craig Mahon has seen it all in his time at the Deva but after becoming the first player to make 200 appearances for the club since its reformation, the Irish winger believes this is the happiest he's ever been.

Mahon signed for the Blues from Vauxhall Motors in May 2013 and since then he's watched the likes of Steve Burr, Jon McCarthy and Marcus Bignot all occupy the Chester hot seat.

But according to the 29-year-old, none of them have impressed him as much as current incumbents, Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley, who this season have taken Chester to within a point of the National League North summit following the side's unbeaten run which they extended to 11 games with Tuesday's win over Nuneaton Borough.

"It was great to make my 200th appearance for Chester but the main thing was the three points which keeps everybody happy," said Mahon.

"We've had a tough run of games and we've worked hard in every game we've played. "We put 100% into each game and it caught up with us a bit on Tuesday but we still had enough in the tank to get the win so we're going away happy.

Casting his mind back more than five years, Mahon was not so pleased following his debut for the Blues and he admitted it hasn't always been an easy time for him at the Deva.

"I remember my first league game was at Barnet and we lost 3-0 so it didn't start off great and since then there have been lots of up and downs and too many downs if I'm honest.

"But this season has been fantastic so far and to be only a point behind Chorley is really positive."

Mahon's form has been crucial to Chester's unbeaten run and the winger provided the two crosses which led to the Blues' first two goals against Nuneaton.

"I'm absolutely loving it," he grinned. "It's fantastic under the two gaffers now because they just let me go out and express myself and do what I want to do on the ball.

"Obviously when I don't have the ball I've got to work hard but apart from that it's a great team to be around at the moment."

According to Mahon, credit for the winger's contentment lies wholly at the feet of the joint managers.

"I've not played with a smile on my face for a while," he said. "Obviously last season I had my differences with the management so it's nice to be back out there and playing football.

"I've been really happy with my performances this season and I've been involved with a lot of goals which is what I want as a winger.

"I've even scored a couple too including a header so something must be going right if I'm scoring headers.

"It's down to the two gaffers and down to the team that I'm able to go out and express myself - when they out the effort in they give me a chance to get on the ball."

Chester face Altrincham at home on Saturday and Mahon is expecting a difficult game against a side expected to be in and around the play off places come April.

"It's a massive game and Alty are a very good team," said Mahon. "When they bring their A game they can be a fantastic team so we've got to make sure we're not complacent and that we put in the same amount of effort we do in every single game.

"Hopefully if we go 3-0 up we'll be able to manage the game a bit better than we did against Nuneaton."

Going 11 games unbeaten has given the side the priceless ingredient of confidence and Mahon admits the atmosphere in the dressing room is as good as it's ever been in his five years at the club.

"After the Nuneaton game we've come into the dressing room a bit upset and down that we've conceded two goals which is a good sign," he added.

"We're getting picky and picking up on the little things which is great because if that's what we're moaning about it means there's not a lot wrong.

"We've got to take that confidence out there with us and combine it with the work rate but regardless what happens to go 11 games unbeaten is a fantastic achievement and we want to keep going and pushing as hard as hard as we can."