Winning title was out of reach: Cal

CHESTER FC boss Calum McIntyre knows his team were in a position to win National League North but admitted, “we gave ourselves too much to do after the first half of the season.”

- BY CLIVE YOULTON

The Blues were due to face Buxton at home in their play-off eliminator on Wednesday night, as the Chronicle went to press.

A win would mean a trip to Kidderminster Harriers on Sunday in the semi-final, while defeat would end their campaign.

Chester were top at one stage but then Kidderminster had the title in their hands on Saturday but lost to Southport to allow Brackley to go up as champions.

"When we look at why we were the team that didn't finish in the top of the division it's because we just gave ourselves too much to do afer the first half of the season,” said McIntyre.

“So when we concluded the game at home to Southport on New Year's Day [0-0], which was a horrendous spectacle, we had played 23 games and had got 37 points.

“We finished up on 87 points. We put 50 points on in the second 23 games. Which is unbelievable, which is why I feel really positive going into the play-offs.