CHESTER CITY returned to action with a win at Droylsden on Saturday – but the real battle they need to win will be held at Rushden and Diamonds’ ground later today.

City are currently languishing on football’s equivalent of Death Row. The Football Association still hasn’t sanctioned the club’s affiliation and a gathering of the Conference directors will discuss Chester’s situation today and decide how to handle the current impasse.

If the FA continue to refuse to accept Chester’s affiliation, the Blue Square Premier will have no alternative but to kick the club out of the competition, which will inevitably mean that this proud club, in its current form, will be forced to close.

It is understood that owner Stephen Vaughan and secretary Tony Allan will travel to Northamptonshire today to explain how the club can meet its financial commitments this season and to present a timetable setting out when the club’s outstanding football creditors will be paid.

However, the fiscal situation at the Deva Stadium has been exacerbated by the cancellation of two prestigious home friendly matches against Burnley and a Liverpool XI recently and a downturn in season ticket sales, which is a by-product of the club’s current uncertainty.

The situation that Chester find themselves in is similar to that of Leeds United two years ago. The Yorkshire club ultimately were allowed to take their place in League One, but started with a 15-point deduction.

One thing is patently obvious; if City are ultimately awarded affiliation to the FA and the Conference accept the business plan that will be presented today, the club must become more professional off the field.

On it, a 20-yard effort from loanee Lewis Alessandra after eight minutes sealed victory at Droylsden.