It may not have gone down too well in the streets of Mansfield, but Chester's draw with Stockport on Tuesday night was well received by Silkmen boss Keith Alexander who now plans to use Saturday's game to take a look at a few more players.

"Had Chester lost against County we would have owed it to Mansfield to go in with pretty much the same side we have been playing over the last month or so," explained Keith. "However now they don't have anything really to play for it allows me to make a few changes and give me the opportunity to have a look at some of the players on the fringes of the side such as Levi Reid."

"John Rooney will also be given his debut and I also hope to include the likes of Matthew Flynn and Andy Teague who I haven't had chance to see play at all. So all in all it should be a useful exercise and a game we want to win and finish the season off in style."

"The fans were magnificent again at the weekend and I know its traditional for a higher than average number to attend the last game of the season so we'll be going out there to hopefully reward them for the fantastic support they have given us. They have played a big part over the last few games and more of that next season gives us a great chance to achieve a much higher finish in the league."

And the new manager thinks that is readily achievable but is keen to urge a word of caution.

"I think it is important we don't get too carried away and that we adopt a sense of realism. The end of the season is always a bit of a watershed in that what has gone is often forgotten and sights are immediately set a lot higher. There's nothing wrong in that but it shouldn't be forgotten that the club has finished near the bottom of this division for the last three seasons. The key thing is that we look to improve and if we can get off to a good start in August you just never know."

"Certainly if we can match our home form of the last six games over the course of next season there's every chance we can achieve a top half finish and perhaps even higher. But a lot of things can happen between now and then. All we can do is work hard and hopefully get the rewards."

"The fans certainly deserve a good year after sticking with us and that is what will be uppermost in my thoughts as we look to take this club forward over the next few years. There is always pressure in any managerial job, more so in recent years with the advent of the Premier League. The game has accelerated and managers are expected to succeed a lot quicker than ever before. I believe this has filtered down throughout the game. You go into any job expecting that now but I think it is vital more of a longer term view is taken."