Chesterfield fell to a 2-1 defeat against Rotherham United despite a late equaliser from the spot from Liam Mandeville and a first-half penalty save from Ryan Boot. The Spireites had dominated possession but it was the Millers that had the big chances with Fabio Tavares failing to convert several big openings and Tom Bradshaw had to watch as his penalty was saved by Boot.
It looked like the late leveller from the penalty spot had cancelled out Tavares’ opener but a late defensive slip let in veteran Paul Mullin who showed no mercy and clinched the win for the hosts.
It’s been 13 years since the Spireites last saw league action at the AESSEAL New York stadium; they lost by a single goal that day which maintained United’s recent dominance. Going back further in time Chesterfield have twice as many wins “in the bank” as Rotherham and they would be looking to add to that historic credit.
Paul Cook chose to stick with exactly the same line-up, including substitutes, that started in last week’s fixture at Salford.
Over 2,000 Spireites greeted the team loudly onto the pitch and maintained the volume until the game was underway with Chesterfield defending the end that housed their supporters.
A very even opening took five minutes before either side looked dangerous; Dilan Markanday flicked a ball into the path of Lee Bonis but home keeper Ted Cann spotted the danger and claimed well just inside the penalty area.
Three minutes later the Millers could have taken the lead. Bradshaw rang strongly on the right and crossed into the box, looking to reach the lurking Fabio Tavares; thankfully the pass eluded him.
Markanday went close twice within a minute for the Spireites, each time down the right he hit across the area but couldn’t find a taker.
Rotherham went ahead in the 12th minute after a through ball found Tavares who ran strongly then drew Boot further out of his goal and hit coolly home for his first League goal for the Millers.
A great three man move between Josh Koroma, Markanday and Remeao Hutton threatened but the final ball flew wide.
Lee Bonis went down in the area but won only a yellow card for perceived simulation.
Hutton picked up wide-right and floated a superb ball into the area, Liam Mandeville was in that area but couldn’t connect.
The Spireites were continuing to push forward, the latest three man move saw Ryan Stirk provide for George McEachran who let fly across the area but was unable to reach a blue shirt.
Tavares threatened again first McFadzean blocked well inside the box and minutes later Boot saved before Lewis Gordon made the final decisive clearance.
With five minutes to the interval, referee Stockbridge, pointed to the penalty spot after McEachran was judged to have fouled Tom Bradshaw. Boot got down well and saved to his right to ensure just a one goal deficit at the interval.
At the start of the second half Tavares looked to be carrying on where he left off; his strong central run ended with a powerful blast that flew past Boot’s left upright.
Markanday was also looking determined as he continued to threaten on the right; one fantastic cross reached Lewis Gordon on the far wing who lobbed back into the middle. The move ended with a clash of heads that saw Bonis and Rotherham’s Emmanuel Adegboyega require treatment and subsequent departure. Adegboyega was replaced by Joe Rafferty and Fraser Bryden took over from Bonis.
A period of Chesterfield pressure saw Bryden connect with a Markanday ball in but downward header lacked power to trouble Cann.
Mandeville was brought down and won a free-kick 25 yards out; he took it himself but hit well over the crossbar.
Tom Naylor was set to replace Josh Koroma, but latter was booked for taking too long to leave the pitch and Naylor was also penalised by having to wait to enter play.
Tavares missed two big chances for the home side, twice firing wide of Boot’s right post.
The Spireites were having lots of possession around the Rotherham box without managing to fashion a clear opening.
With just under ten minutes remaining PaulCook made his final three changes with Rafiq Lamptey, Danny Anijsko and Malik Owolabi-Belewu all joining the action.
In the 87th minute the Spireites won a penalty. Great work between Mandeville and Naylor fed Bryden who was brought down. Mandeville blasted home superbly.
The Chesterfield fans were still celebrating when Rotherham took the lead. A slip in the Chesterfield defence saw substitute Paul Mullin gain possession, he tore down on goal and slotted neatly home.
Nine additional minutes were indicated; a vital challenge dispossessed Naylor in the 99th minute as he was about to shoot but no further opportunities arose.
Chesterfield: Boot, Hutton, McFadzean (C), Simpson, Gordon (Owolabi-Belewu 81), McEachran (Lamptey 81), (Naylor 70), Stirk, Bonis (Bryden 60), Mandeville, Markanday (Aniskjo 81)
Substitutes not used: Pond, Eccleston
Referee: Sebastian Stockbridge
Attendance: 9,291 including 2,285 Chesterfield supporters
