DANNY LIVESEY feels the ability to grind out wins when not playing at your best will stand Chester in good stead for what he hopes will be a successful National League North season.

The Blues, who face Leamington at The Deva Stadium tomorrow, kicked off their league campaign with a 2-1 victory at Kidderminster Harriers on Tuesday but it wasn't plain sailing.

Although they led 2-1 against 10-men Harriers, the numbers were evened up when midfielder Paddy Lacey was shown a straight red card for a late challenge.

Chester were put under immense late pressure as Harriers pushed for an equaliser but the Blues held on to register an opening day success, and centre-back Livesey was impressed with the character shown by Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley's side.

"We were in charge as you would expect against 10 men," said Livesey.

"We were managing it really well but when Paddy got sent off, it does change the dynamics a little bit because they have got nothing to lose and it evens things up.

"We had to dig deep, and two years ago we would have lost that game.

"I'm hoping that we've added that little bit of steel that we need to win when we are not playing well; win ugly and grind out a couple of results that York did last year and Brackley do all the time.

"We need to add that to our game. We can't just play pretty football all the time and every so often you lose 1-0. We need to at least get a point from it."

Chester, who beat Worksop on a penalty shoot-out in the FA Cup last weekend after drawing 2-2, have made a good start but Livesey feels there is more to come.

"We are playing okay but we haven't played great in the first two games," said Livesey.

"But we have got two half decent results and we are up and running.

"The longer you go without any points, the longer the pressure builds."

Tomorrow's opponents Leamington were thrashed 4-0 by Boston in their first league game but Livesey is expecting a tricky test.

"It is going to be a tough game because they always are," said Livesey.

"Leamington haven't had a great start but they will probably be more determined to turn that around.

"We are going in with lots of confidence but we know how important it is, even so early in the season, to keep the run going."

Livesey will be hoping he is not needed to be pushed into an attacking role tomorrow.

Chester trailed 2-0 at Worksop but Livesey moved up front and scored twice to secure a draw before the Blues won the penalty shoot-out to secure a third qualifying round home tie against Spennymoor.

"On Friday in training we have a little game and I go up front all the time," added Livesey.

"I joke to the strikers about how easy it is!

"There's not much pressure. If you give the ball away, a lot has got to happen for you to concede a goal but when you are at the back, it is a completely different mentality.

"You go up front with that little bit of freedom. Sometimes it doesn't work but more often than not you just cause a bit of a nuisance.

"It is a different option and it is something I will always push for but I'm hoping it's not needed too much and we are not chasing too many games."

Kidderminster will be looking to bounce back from defeat by registering a first win at Darlington while promotion favourites York, who beat Chorley 3-1 in midweek, go to Farsley.

Other fixtures: Alfreton v Spennymoor; Blyth v Telford; Boston v Guiseley; Brackley v Curzon; Chorley v Gloucester; Gateshead v Fylde; Hereford v Bradford Park Avenue; Kettering v Southport.