CHESTER boss Anthony Johnson says three points will take precedence over winning in style this weekend.

The promotion-chasing Blues return to National League North action at home to basement side Bradford Park Avenue on Saturday.

A cursory glance at the form book explains Bradford’s current predicament, with six successive league defeats compounding their relegation battle.

But Mark Bower’s side are buoyed by a morale-boosting FA Trophy win at Gloucester City last time out and Johnson has warned his side against complacency.

“It’s a must-win game for us, simple as that,” he said.

“We know how important it is that we keep the positivity and momentum of recent results going and Saturday’s a great chance for us to do that.

“With King’s Lynn and York up there above us - we’re looking to chase them down. We’ve got seven points we need to claw back and that’s the motivation for me, Bernard (Morley) and the players now.

“People might look at the Bradford game and think we’ll win it easily. But they’ll be coming into the game with a bit more belief after beating Gloucester, where they did well.

“Personally I don’t care if it’s a scruffy 1-0 or a 6-5 win on Saturday, just as long as we get three points.”

With 10 league and cup games to contest between this weekend and January 11, the festive period will be pivotal to Chester’s prospects this term.

And Johnson hopes to be able to utilise his entire Chester squad during the challenging fixture schedule.

He added: “The squad we’ve got at the moment is the best we’ve ever had. When we’re fully-fit as we are now, we’ve got great depth and competition for places.

“Our bench at Brackley last weekend was unbelievably strong. We made three changes to the starting 11 down there and it didn’t weaken us. That’s really pleasing and we’ll need everyone to play a part for us going into December and the new year.”

Injured duo Craig Mahon and James Jones are Chester’s only absentees for the game.

Saturday’s match will the first played at the Deva since it’s rebranding as the 1885 Arena last week.

Announced by millionaire club investor Stuart Murphy at the City Fans United AGM last week, the new name references the year the club was founded.

Murphy also revealed the early stages of plans for a redevelopment of the stadium and its surrounding area with the creation of a multi-million pound sports village.

CFU Chair Dave Harrington-Wright said: “We are delighted to be finally able to release the new stadium name, and to welcome the sponsorship of the 1885 Group. This sponsorship shows further great commitment by Stuart to Chester FC, something I’m sure all fans will appreciate.”

League leaders King’s Lynn Town host Gateshead, with York City out to end a four-game winless run at home to Alfreton.

Interim Kidderminster Harriers boss Russell Penn will take charge for tomorrow’s home clash with Southport.

Other fixtures: Blyth Spartans v Brackley Town; Darlington v Telford; Hereford v Farsley Celtic; Gloucester City v Kettering Town; Leamington v Guiseley.