“We played more like how we want to”

James Rowe gave his assessment of the Spireites’ 2-0 win away at Barnet, which saw an immediate response after successive defeats.

He said: “We won it at a canter. I think we could have gone up a gear at the end if we needed to. We created enough opportunities for it to be more than two really.

“Our final execution, finish, pass could have been better. But other than that, I’m being quite picky; it’s a good bounce-back performance.

“Intensity from the start. I thought Jack Clarke and Tom Whelan led that intensity and the wing-backs joined in. That’s what I was looking for.

“We were more our old selves, really. We played more like how we want to, our DNA and what we wanted to do.

“Two-nil away from home, on your travels. All that mattered was that we got the three points, however we did it. I’m a happy manager today.”

Adi Yussuf scored his first goal for Chesterfield, tapping home form close-range and Rowe was happy with the striker’s performance.

“We’ve been talking, it was always going to be a tap-in or something like that. He had a few chances. Great to see him score,” Rowe said.

“He led the line really well and he created space for Akwasi [Asante]. His hold-up play was improving as the game went on.”

Laurence Maguire took the captain’s armband for the first time and Rowe believes that it is a role that the defender can grow into and help the club for years to come.

The manager said: “He’s a lad that has come through the club and that’s what I want. I want to make sure we are connected to the community and connected to the fanbase. Laurence is certainly that.

“He’s been here a long time. He’s seen some good times and he’s seen some bad times. Now with his age, his contract renewal, he’s got leadership qualities that we want to grow and develop.

“I’ve said from the start that whenever my tenure finishes here, I want to make sure that the club is in a better place. With ‘Lozza’ growing into a leader, that will make sure the club is in good standing.”