Chester boss Jim Harvey hoping for fans' backing

Chester City boss Jim Harvey is hoping that the club's fans remain supportive for Friday night's FA Trophy first round clash with Fleetwood (1945 GMT).

City's long-suffering fans gave great support in encouraging their team to a 0-0 draw with pre-season promotion favourites Luton Town last weekend.

The Deva Stadium attracted its largest crowd since October (1,352) and Harvey admits that it made a difference.

"They've not had a lot to shout about but the fans were terrific," he said.

"The way they got behind the players was first class and it really helped."

The Deva Stadium regulars made headlines in City's previous home game when an on-the-pitch protest at the running of the club led to the abandonment of the match against Eastbourne Borough on 28 November.

Chester's treatment over that abandonment is still to be decided by the authorities.

But a Football Association representative attended the Luton game and was reported to be apparently happy with the stewarding and security measures in place.

Despite that, Cheshire Constabulary insisted upon the Fleetwood game being policed, causing it to be switched at late notice from Saturday afternoon to Friday night.

But an announcement about the Eastbourne game (Chester have submitted a proposal to replay the abandoned match next month) is now expected from the Football Conference on Monday.

Prior to that, Chester will be without suspended defender Kevin Roberts against Fleetwood as they bid to become the first team into the hat for the second round of the Trophy.

Fellow defenders Rhys Meynell (ankle), Neil Ashton and Michael Lea (both groin injuries) also miss out. But skipper Tim Ryan returns after recovering from a virus - and Harvey hopes that on-loan Burnley midfielder Adam Kay will overcome a hamstring injury.

"The Trophy can give a massive boost," said Harvey. "It gives players the chance of a treasured appearance at Wembley and it can give clubs a cash injection if they progress to the latter stages.

"But we're aware of the threat that Fleetwood pose. They're going well in Blue Square North and I know they have some quality players."