Match preview: Barrow (h)

After two disappointing losses in the league, a chance to return to winning ways arises with a home game against Barrow.

The Cumbrian outfit travel to the SMH Group Stadium having not won in the league since early October, only picking up three points, coming in three successive 1-1 draws against Notts County, Bromley and Colchester respectively.

Head-to-head

The Spireites have faced Barrow five times in their history, three of which were in the National League before the Bluebirds earned promotion to the Football League in the curtailed 2019/20 season.

The last meeting between the sides ended in a 2-2 draw in Chesterfield, with John Sheridan’s side coming from two goals down to rescue a point thanks to goals from Scott Boden and Mike Fondop.

Barrow’s only win in the fixture came in 2018, when Tyler Smith scored two second-half goals to give Ian Evatt’s side a 3-2 victory.

Stephen Clemence

Beginning his coaching career under the stewardship of Steve Bruce, Clemence had his first spell in the hotseat at Gillingham last season, where he guided the Gills to a mid-table finish but was ultimately sacked.

He joined Barrow shortly after, looking to guide them into the play-offs after they narrowly missed out by just a point last term following a winless final eight games.

He has transformed them into a strong defensive unit who have conceded just 15 in the league so far this season – a statistic that will be put to the test against the Spireites who are the league’s top scorers with 29.

Player-in-focus

Andrew Dallas joined Barrow in the summer on loan from Barnsley, the side who secured his signature following his loan spell at the then Technique Stadium.

After a disappointing loan spell at Kilmarnock last season, he has found better form with Barrow, scoring twice in both the league and Vertu Motors Trophy.

Finding the net in both of his last two matches against Aston Villa U21 and Wimbledon respectively, Dallas will be full of confidence ahead of his return to the SMH Group Stadium.