CALUM MCINTYRE says an improvement in Chester's away form is required if they are to be around the National League North play-off picture heading into 2025.

The Blues, who lost out 1-0 at Darlington in midweek, are on their travels once more on Saturday, with Needham Market their destination.

Chester sit in 12th spot after that loss and McIntyre stressed the key for the next two months was to "remain competitive for that seventh place spot".

McIntyre told Chester FC TV: "We need to find a formula, because we've been alright in the calendar year away.

"I think that's dipped away in recent weeks. Generally, in my time here, we've been okay away.

"We're not winning enough games away from home. We're not keeping enough clean sheets.

"We are in home games. Our home record's been there-or-thereabouts for the division, but away from home we need to improve.

"The reason I say that being so important... is we go to Needham Market on Saturday.

"We then go to Gainsborough in the trophy. We go to Leamington on the Tuesday.

"We've got Warrington at the end of the month.

"The ability to pick points up - and I don't mean points in isolation, singular points - I mean the ability to win games away from home is going to dictate whether it's a good month.

"A good month will decide what December looks like and where we are then at Christmas, you'll get a good feel after playing everyone."

McIntyre praised his Chester players for their response to a tough spell of National League North action last weekend.

The Blues bounced back from losses to Buxton and Curzon Ashton in fine fashion with a comfortable 3-0 home success over Hereford.

McIntyre said: "Full credit to the players for what's been a very difficult week.

"Very difficult conditions and a very difficult atmosphere. We fell miles short last week and I'm bored talking about it at the standards that we've set.

"Not standards that other people set, that we set over a period of time."

The Blues went into the interval a goal to the good.

Will Hugill, on his debut on loan from Championship Burnley, supplied an inviting cross into the box and Charlie Caton headed in his eighth of the season in the first minute.

Chester had some breathing space when they doubled their lead after an hour.

Nathan Woodthorpe produced the cross on this occasion and Tom Peers headed in.

It was left to Caton to conclude the scoring, capitalising on good work from Jack Bainbridge and Harrison Burke.

Chester have strengthened their ranks with the loan signing of midfielder Will Hugill from Championship Burnley.

Hugill, who made his debut against Hereford, has signed for an initial month.

McIntyre told the club's website: “Will is a high energy midfield player that we think will contribute significantly in the centre of the pitch. He is a real athlete with a terrific physical profile.

“This adds a new dynamic to the middle of the pitch as we move on to an important month of the season.”

Goalkeeper Alex Brown has joined Glossop North End on loan for three months.