The Shots leave the confines of Fortress Rec tomorrow and head north up Watling Street, looking for victory in a clash at the old Roman camp of Deva Victrix on Saturday.

Let battle commence: Chester, as Deva is now known, has long been a place of conflict, straddling the border between England and Wales.

In reality, however, it was a rather more composed approach that served Aldershot so well in their FA Cup replay win at Rotherham on Tuesday evening.

That 3-0 victory, in which Kirk Hudson scored twice, breaking a run of eight consecutive away defeats, including seven in League Two, was one built on composure and discipline, with deadly forays on the counterattack, to which a wounded opponent had no answer.

King Edward I, one time Lord of Chester and conqueror of the Welsh in the late 13th Century, would have been proud.

Aldershot and their fans will invade Wales on Saturday too - captained by Rhys Day, a Welshman, as luck would have it - given that Chester City’s Deva Stadium crosses the border; indeed, most of the ground is out of England.

As good as Tuesday’s FA Cup win was, it is vital that Aldershot start picking up league points on their travels and that superb performances like at Rotherham become the rule rather than the exception.

Chester City, with just one win in 12 games and with 40 goals conceded in all competitions this season, look ripe for the picking.

But the same was said before trips to the likes of Macclesfield Town and Morecambe — and Aldershot contrived to lose. Moreover, that one win for Chester, at the end of October, was a very impressive 3-0 home victory over Brentford.

They also held League One Millwall to 0-0 until late in the game in their recent FA Cup 1st Round tie. The Londoners - who Aldershot play next Saturday in the 2nd Round - scored three late goals to win 3-0.

Chester have also recently been buoyed by the return of Mark Wright as manager for a third stint, with his assistant Steve Bleasdale. Former boss Simon Davies, who engineered Chester's narrow escape from relegation last season, was sacked earlier this month.

Wright, the former England and Southampton star may have a chequered history at the club but he is expected to improve a porous defence that leaked more goals in defeat last weekend at home to Morecambe.

He has inspired in previous reigns too, leading Chester back into the Football League after a four-year absence, in season 2003-04, when Aldershot lost 4-2 at the Deva, as Chester pipped Hereford United to the Conference title.

Gary Waddock is wary of the Wright factor and the old adage - not always proved - that teams enjoy a honeymoon period of results under a new manager.

“Chester have a new manager. The players will want to impress him and will have been lifted by his appointment,” said Waddock.

“But if we approach the match as we did the Rotherham one, then we give ourselves a good chance. The players will be confident now, away from home.”

Pacy Kevin Ellison is suspended for Chester on Saturday but Damien Mozika should return from a head injury and ‘keeper John Danby is expected to pass a fitness test on his groin.

For Aldershot, Danny Hylton is suspended and, bar any injuries, Gary Waddock is expected to name the side that won at Rotherham. Andy Sandell is available again after being cup-tied for that Rotherham game and will probably be on the bench.

Given Chester's Roman heritage, it is no surprise that there was an amphitheatre, which is currently being excavated.

The town is known for 'acting' in the modern era too, with teen soap Hollyoaks set in Chester. With famous Hollyoaks family names in the squad - Osborne, Davies and Morgan - The Shots should feel right at home.

But an away win - or even a point - is what they really ought to be taking back to Fortress Rec.

Kick-off at the Deva Stadium is at 3pm.