CHESTER’S top-of-the-table clash with league leaders York has the ‘all the makings of a fantastic game’, according to joint-manager Anthony Johnson.

The Blues welcome Steve Watson’s unbeaten Minstermen to the Deva on Saturday, with the hosts able to leapfrog their opponents into top spot with a victory.

With 31 goals already this term, Chester are National League North’s highest scorers while York boast the meanest defensive record.

Joint-manager Johnson expects his side’s toughest test of the season to date and is relishing the high-stakes encounter.

“You look at the records of both sides so far this season and it has all the makings of a fantastic game,” he said.

“They haven’t lost all season and we’re unbeaten at home. Two ex-Football League clubs going head to head should make it a great spectacle, and the fact that the fans of both clubs haven’t had anything to cheer about in the last few seasons elevates it that little bit more.

“It’s a game the fans want to see and we’re hoping for a big crowd. We know this is our chance to show everybody exactly how good a team we are.”

The Blues will be out to end a five-game winless run, with each of their last three National League North fixtures ending all square.

An entertaining 2-2 draw at Blyth Spartans last weekend was the latest result in that sequence.

Ultimately though, Chester's sixth draw of the season to date meant they missed the chance to move level on points with York.

And Johnson and fellow boss Bernard Morley were left frustrated at the number of goalscoring chances spurned by their side.

“I think we looked a bit too desperate to win at times at Blyth,” added Johnson.

“It looked as though we wanted to win the game by four or five, rather than taking control of the game when we had the chance.

"Instead of sitting on the lead we had, we pushed for more goals.

“That meant we left the door open for Blyth to come back at us and that was the frustration.

“It happened in the Leamington game at home too - we were trying too hard at times, when we should have been a bit wiser.”

Chester’s profligate finishing in the north east only served to highlight the importance of top-scorer Akwasi Asante to their prospects this term.

A slight groin strain meant he was omitted from the Blues squad last weekend as a precautionary measure.

But the 27-year-old striker, who has netted 11 times this season, is set for a timely return this weekend.

Johnson said: “It wasn’t even a grade one injury with Akwasi last week. He didn’t feel 100 per cent and we didn’t think it was worth the risk.

“He’s trained well recently now he’s had a couple of week’s rest so hopefully he’ll be firing on all cylinders.

“We’ve pretty much got a clean bill of health and we’re hoping to have Gary Stopforth and Scott Burton both available too.”

Chester warmed up for the clash with a 7-0 midweek thrashing of Runcorn Town in the Cheshire Senior Cup.

Danny Elliott led the way, netting four times in the rout of the North West Counties Premier Division side.

George Waring also bagged a brace in the first round tie, with youngster Louis Hayes rounding off the scoring late on.

York head into the match buoyed by a 2-0 FA Cup victory over Stockport Town last weekend.

Former Chester man Sean Newton scored in the win, which set up a first round clash with Altrincham.