CHESTER made progress in the FA Cup but Bernard Morley's priority is an improvement in the Blues' National League North form.

The Blues are through to the third qualifying round of the famous cup competition after a 1-0 replay win against Darlington at The Deva Stadium on Tuesday night.

James Hardy settled the tie with the only goal five minutes from time to secure a trip to Marske United on Saturday October 2.

Before then, Chester are back in league action this Saturday at home to Blyth Spartans when Morley and joint-manager Anthony Johnson will be looking for a much needed win from their side.

The Blues have only won once in six league outings and continuing the cup adventure at Marske is the last thing on Morley's mind.

"It's hard to look that far because we know we have got Blyth," said Morley.

"Our league form has to improve and by doing that we have to beat Blyth.

"There's a massive injury crisis at the club, let's make no bones about it, hopefully we can start getting players fit and get strength in depth.

"We have just got to keep working hard with what we have got available; make no excuses, the facts are there."

Chester at least return to the bread and butter of the league having won their FA Cup second qualifying round tie against Darlington.

The teams had drawn 0-0 in the north east on Saturday and were heading for extra time before Hardy's late goal, and Morley was pleased to get through.

"I am delighted for a lot of reasons," said Morley.

"I feel like that' was the Chester we know, that was the squad we have assembled.

"I think we played with a lot more confidence, were more direct, kept the ball a lot better, managed the game a lot better and we have kept two clean sheets on the bounce."

On the last gasp goal, Morley added: "We always seem to finish the game strongly.

"We had to be patient, we had five or six good chances second half and it looked like it was going to be one of those nights and it was going to go to extra-time.

"I think the substitutions coming on inspired the result ."

Morley is not happy with the amount of goals conceded this season and hopes the Blues have turned the corner following back to back clean sheets.

"The amount of goals we have conceded is not acceptable," said Morley. "It always takes time to fix things but we won't get above our station, we won't get complacent.

"The rotation in the back four has probably been far too much than what we wanted it to be.

"Have we found our strongest back four? Probably not, it's just that this back four that we have picked over the last two games have done their jobs, been accountable, made first contact on corners, defended well and concentrated for 90 minutes."