Chester hope to bounce back from Bantam Blues

Last updated : 16 November 2007 By Gary Moss
After a week of timely distractions from the league with a full cup schedule, it is business as usual this weekend.

The First Round threw it is fair share of upsets again and this weekend will be telling marker of how these results have taken effect.
Buckley...says a prayer

Grimsby grabbed a morale boosting 1-1 draw with League One pace setters Carlisle United.

After a run of eight without a win in the league, Buckley will be praying his side can build on their cup result in time to save his job on the line.

Hereford held big boys Leeds to a 0-0 draw in a game that perhaps wasn't a massive surprise to those who have seen the imprerssive Bulls in action this campaign.

And, Barnet took the scalp of League One's Gillingham at Underhill on the back of a bright start to the season.

We all know the form book goes out of the window for cup ties, but it's back to reality for the divisions shockers this weekend.

Game of the day: Chester v MK Dons

Chester will be hoping to revert their fortunes after back-to-back defeats at the hands of Bradford.

The Bantams enjoyed both legaue and cup victories over the high-flying
Thorne...dumped Blues from cup
Blues in successive weeks.

Omar Daley and Alex Rhodes netted in a 2-1 league win for City while Peter Thorne sealed their FA Cup fate with a 1-0 reverse at Valley Parade.

These two results on the back of an unconvincing diaply at Sincil Bank leave Chester on a bit of a downer as they go into their top of the table clash with MK Dons.

The Blues have sunk to fourth as they host the table topping Dons.

MK are themselves not in the richest vain.

Just one win in the last four in the league has seen their lead at the top has persuaded some c
Ince...Dons good away
ritics to question their title potential.

But, four points clear on the top - they are still clear front runners.

Paul Ince's side have built a good reputation on their away form so far t6his term - losing just once on their travels picking up 14 points from a possible 21 so far.

Both teams will be a bit low of confidence but thsi big clash at the top should bring the best out of both of them.

NCM's Prediction: A cowardly draw. 1-1.

Elsewhere... Morecambe's honeymoon period has come to an abrupt end.

The Shrimps have claimed just one point in their last four league outings and travel to Blundell Park to face Grimsby on Saturday knowing that defeat could see them drop further towards danger.

Rotherham are looking in good nick having avoided defeat since the back end of Septmber.
Peters...one win in 9


The Milelrs have quietly mounted a play-off bid and will be hoping to continue thier good work against an up and down Accrington Stanley.

And finally, Shrewsbury will be determined to halt their slide with a home fixture against Barnet.

One win in nine does not make pleasant reading for the Shrews who were hoping to be sitting comfortably higher in their brand new stadium this time aorund - but is increasingly looking like they may have to again rely on a let run to hit the top seven.

Full fixture list:

Accrington Stanley v Rotherham

Brentford v Darlington

Bury v Peterborough

Chester v MK Dons

Dagenham & Redbridge v Bradford

Grimsby v Morecambe

Notts County v Macclesfield

Shrewsbury v Barnet

Stockport v Hereford

Wycombe v Lincoln