Media Watch - Chester's demise is good for Tynesiders

Chester City old boy Daryl Clare has expressed his disappointment at the demise of his former club - but is delighted current club Gateshead will be the main beneficiaries.

Clare scored a superb 48 goals in 60 league games during a successful two year stay at the Deva Stadium, helping the club back into the Football League in his second season.

That saw the former Grimsby Town striker claim the Conference Golden Boot in 2003/4, but Chester are now on the brink of extinction.

The 125 year old club have been voted out of the Blue Square Premier by the member clubs causing this season's results to be expunged.

Gateshead were the only side to lose twice against Chester while Cambridge United and Tamworth will lose their six points for doing the double over the former Football League club.

Both are now in the thick of the relegation battle along with Salisbury City who will have four points deducted while struggling Ebbsfleet and Forest Green each lose three points.

When the table is readjusted two points will separate six clubs that includes Gateshead with Grays all but doomed and Forest Green eight points behind the Tynesiders.

Clare said: "Chester's expulsion has given us a real leg up as there are now eight clubs involved in the battle to avoid the last two relegation places.

"I believe we would have stayed up anyway and I've played in sides that have pushed for the top six who weren't as good as the current Gateshead side.

"There is now a stronger mentality in the camp and more ability in the squad following the host of signings in the new year.

"But I am very sad at what has happened at Chester. They are a club close to my heart and I played the best football of my career there.

"The only saving grace is that the supporters want to form a new club and work their way through the leagues like AFC Wimbledon have done."

Clare will be back in action in what has become a six-pointer at Tamworth tomorrow, Saturday's Blue Square Premier game against Forest Green having been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

After conducting a morning training session management duo Ian Bogie and Jeff Wrightson took in York City's 0-1 defeat against relegation threatened Eastbourne Borough.

"Expulsion is sad for Chester City," said Wrightson "but the situation had to be resolved and they had been on death row for some time.

"It is a scenario that has helped us and given us a great incentive. Survival is firmly in our hands and five wins from the last 13 games should be enough."