Terry Brown admits Chester City’s expulsion from the Blue Square Premier could give AFC Wimbledon a timely boost as the Dons chase an end-of-season play-off spot.

Chester have 14 days to appeal against the Conference’s decision to ditch them over their financial woes, with a deadline of Friday March 12.

Once that passes the Seals’ results would be wiped off the record, and with Wimbledon having slumped 3-1 in their solitary clash with Chester this season, the Dons would be major winners.

Brown said: “There is no doubt that we would benefit enormously if Chester’s records are expunged.

“They do have time to appeal, but I cannot really see on what grounds they will appeal.

“There were representatives from every club at the meeting last week, except Chester and I think that tells you everything you need to know.

“With other clubs that have hit financial trouble, like Portsmouth or Bournemouth, the fans are begging to be saved but in Chester’s case they are begging not to be saved so they can start again.

“Personally I think the fans should be listened to as what is football if it is not a fan’s game?”

Having had an enforced weekend off last Saturday due to the Conference’s peculiar quirk of granting all clubs one Saturday off during the season, a strong Dons line-up returned to action in Tuesday night’s 4-3 win at Chipstead in the Surrey Senior Cup with goals from Glenn Poole (two), Danny Kedwell and Steven Gregory.

Next up though is a Kingsmeadow date with Altrincham, a side Brown’s men have beaten both away from home and in the FA Trophy this season.

Despite all that, the Wimbledon boss expects another tough test.

Brown added: “Both of our games have been very tight.

“In the FA Trophy game a penalty decision could easily have seen Seb Brown sent off and that would have changed everything.

“I have played against this type of team so many times in my career.

“They are well organised and very motivated and you really have to be on your game to see them off.”

One name that could make a return on Saturday is Luke Moore, the forward having returned to action at Chipstead.

And Brown admits Moore’s recovery from his hip injury is a welcome tonic.

He added: “It is a nice boost.

“Luke’s recovery is testament to the superb work of our physios - we got him to the specialist very quickly and his rehab had been monitored very closely.

“At most other clubs he would have been out for the season and to have him back gives us a real lift ahead of the run-in.”

AFC Wimbledon’s next three matches: Mar 6 Altrincham (h), 9 Crawley Town (a), 11 Harrow Borough (LSC, a)