The Spireites notched their second away win of the season, beating Doncaster Rovers 3-0, thanks to a first-half header from Chey Dunkley, a second-half penalty from Paddy Madden and a stoppage-time goal from James Berry.
After a slow start to the game, Chesterfield grew into the contest and deservedly led at the interval; they maintained that control in the second half and thoroughly deserved the final outcome as they sent the huge blue and white following home deliriously happy.
The Spireites arrived at the Eco-Power Stadium, looking forward to the first competitive fixture between the two sides for eight years; Rovers had been unbeatable at home this season and were aiming to clinch a new club record, set in 1934/35, of 12 straight wins.
Paul Cook made three changes from the team that started last week in the home draw against Cheltenham
In came Liam Mandeviile (to face his old team), Harvey Araujo and Paddy Madden; losing out were James Berry, Jenson Metcalfe and Kane Drummond – with the first two claiming a place on the bench. For Rovers there was just one change as ex-Solihull Moors player Joe Sbarra made his first start for the club.
The weather and the pitch were both perfect at kick-off time; the Spireites started the game kicking off and defending the end that housed their 3,000 travelling supporters.
The home team took the early initiative, winning a corner in the first minute that produced no threat but moments later there was danger as Ben Close fed Jordan Gibson out wide and his floated ball to the far post proved just too elusive for Luke Molyneux to connect with.
By the seventh minute, it was level on corners but Dilan Markanday’s flag kick from the right was dealt with easily.
In the next attack, Madden broke well on the left, spotted Tom Naylor and fed him centrally, his low-down 20 yard effort was dealt with easily by Ted Sharman-Lowe.
Mandeville picked up well just outside the penalty area and laid off well for Markanday who was in a more threatening position – his weak effort was claimed easily.
The Spireites won a free-kick on the edge of the area; Markanday took it and forced a two-handed punch from Sharman-Lowe.
Some great play on the left between Mandeviile and Lewis Gordon saw Doncaster happily concede another corner from the final ball.
At the half-way stage the game had turned into a very even contest with the Spireites looking very confident on the ball.
After half-an-hour Chesterfield won another free-kick, wide-right; Mandeviile stepped up and floated the perfect ball into the box for Dunkley to time his run to perfection and power his strong header home from the edge of the six-yard box.
With five minutes to the break, Armando Dobra went on a run but was felled by a strong challenge from Jay McGrath, a challenge that referee James Bell decided warranted a yellow card. The free-kick came to nothing but the clock edged closer to the interval as three minutes were added to the 45 but the Spireites eased their way to a deserved interval lead.
At the start of the second period both managers made changes. For the Spireites, Ollie Banks took over from Devan Tanton and for Rovers Billy Sharp and Joseph Olowu replaced Jordan Gibson and Jamie Sterry.
Rovers started brightly and looked a much livelier outfit however they had a major setback four minutes into the half when Molyneux picked up a needless second yellow for disputing an offside decision.
Moments later an accidental clash between Harvey Araujo and Olowu saw both receive treatment and Aruujo eventually resumed with his head bandaged.
The Spireites broke and Rovers felt the safest option was to give away another corner. How they’ll wish they hadn’t! Markanday’s kick flew across goal and Olowu’s hand was judged to have connected. The referee didn’t hesitate in awarding the penalty and Madden stepped up, blasting the spot-kick home to Sharman-Lowe’s right to double the Spireites’ lead.
Araujo’s injury had started to worsen with blood seeping through the bandage; moments later Cook made his second change as Will Grigg replaced Madden, who had worked tirelessly throughout. The final changes quickly followed as Jamie Grimes replaced Araujo, Ryan Colclough took over from Dobra and Berry replaced Markanday.
Berry made an immediate impression on the left and caused all sorts of problems; he was unceremoniously brought down on the byline and took the free-kick himself; it flew across goal but resulted in just another corner kick.
Moments later Grigg almost capitalised on Sharman-Lowe’s failure to control the ball at his feet; the keeper recover just in time.
In the next move Berry’s speed gave him the edge and from the edge of the area he chipped for the unmarked Grigg at the edge of the six-yard box but with the goal at his mercy he blasted wide of the right upright.
Rovers broke and from a ball into the area Olowu powered a header that looked a certain goal only for Ryan Boot to pull off an absolute wonder save and break the Rovers’ spirit.
With five minutes to go ex-Spireite Tom Anderson was shown a straight red card and left the home side two men light.
Six added minutes were awarded and the Spireites managed to add their haul with three remaining. Berry picked up 35 yards out, head down he ran for goal beating two defenders in his wake before slotting home from 12 yards in front of the massed ranks of ecstatic Chesterfield supporters to seal an emphatic win in South Yorkshire.
Chesterfield: Boot, Naylor ©, Araujo (Grimes 73), Mandeville, Oldaker, Dobra (Colclough 73), Gordon, Dunkley, Markanday (Berry 73), Tanton (Banks 46), Madden (Grigg 61)
Unused Substitutes: Thompson, Metcalfe,
Referee: James Bell
Attendance: 10,790 (3,027)
