CHESTER coach Jan Van Deventer says his players must find a way to ‘win ugly’ away from home this season.

In marked contrast to their solid home form, Chester have struggled at times on the road and were soundly beaten in a 35-7 defeat at Hinckley in their previous away game.

A visit to Wharfedale awaits title-chasing Chester on Saturday, with the visitors looking to build on an emphatic 59-12 demolition of South Leicester in the National League Two North last weekend.

He said: “Sometimes it feels like we’ve been looking for the perfect performance away from home and trying to play the fast-paced attacking game we play at Hare Lane.

“I think we may need to go back to basics in those situations and focus more on just keeping the scoreboard ticking over.

“You need to win ugly sometimes and I think that’s the policy we’ll need to adopt at Wharfedale, which is always a tough place for visiting teams.

“We beat them by three points earlier in the season, which tells you how close this weekend’s game could be.

“They’re a well-supported community level club and it feels like the whole town turns out to watch them.

“Hopefully we can take the momentum out of last week’s performance and keep ourselves in the hunt.”

Van Deventer made four changes to his side for the South Leicester game, a move which was vindicated by a breathless attacking display against the struggling visitors.

And the South African believes that increased competition for places can underpin the club’s promotion bid this term.

“I think the four guys who came into the side really stepped up and staked a real claim for the shirt.”

Guy Ford is Chester’s only injury doubt for the clash.

Pacesetters Hull Ionians host Sedgley Park this weekend, while third-placed Fylde visit South Leicester.

Promotion rivals Huddersfield head to Stourbridge, Hinckley host Otley, Macclesfield head to Tynedale, Sheffield Tigers entertain Leicester Lions while Preston Grasshoppers go to Peterborough Lions.