Spireites draw at home to Walsall

Chesterfield twice came from behind the draw 2-2 at home to Walsall.

Darren Oldaker and Dilan Markanday scored for the Spireites with Nathan Lowe scoring both goals for the visitors.

The Spireites made five changes from Tuesday’s 2-2 draw away to Bromley, as Max Thompson, Harvey Araujo, Ollie Banks, Armando Dobra and Markanday came into the starting line-up.

Walsall’s first opportunity saw Taylor Allen’s corner headed behind by Jamille Matt, who then powered a header wide from Liam Gordon’s cross before the offside flag was raised.

The Saddlers looked to be on top in the opening 20 minutes but Dobra was able to drive forward and force a block after cutting inside. Chesterfield grew into the game and Tom Naylor fired over from the edge of the box.

Lowe put Walsall in front in the 33rd minute, presented with an open goal when Thompson parried a shot into his path after Chesterfield gave the ball away.

Thompson was called into action again when his slip gave Lowe the chance to shoot from a narrow angle, but the goalkeeper recovered well to prevent a second goal.

In first-half added time, Chesterfield were afforded an indirect free-kick. Naylor teed up Oldaker and his first time finish was curled through a crowd of players into the bottom corner.

Walsall restored their lead just 51 seconds after the resumption, as Lowe was played in behind and dispatched the ball past Thompson with a calm finish.

Thompson was called into action again and saved well from Matt, with Walsall threatening on the counter-attack.

Paul Cook made four changes midway through the second half as Ryan was introduced along with Paddy Madden, James Berry and Jenson Metcalfe.

The Spireites equalised again after 67 minutes, as Colclough’s cross was worked back across goal by Berry for Markanday to fire home.

Colclough took the game to Walsall on the right side, and curled wide of the mark from 30 yards.

Walsall came closest to finding a winning goal in the closing stages as Adomah’s header found the side-netting, but the points were shared in front of over 9,000 fans.

Chesterfield: Thompson, Naylor, Araujo (Berry 64), Mandeville (Colclough 64), Oldaker (Metcalfe 64), Grigg (Madden 64), Dobra, Gordon, Dunkley, Markanday (Daley-Campbell), Banks.

Unused Substitutes: Boot, Grimes.

Attendance: 9,035 (1,019)