Defeat at Halifax

The Spireites were hit by two second-half strikes as they fell to a 2-0 defeat to FC Halifax Town at The Shay.

Paul Cook kept the same starting XI that won 2-1 at Wealdstone nine days previous – Tom Whelan and Manny Oyeleke returned to the bench.

After a first half that lacked the cutting edge, Halifax struck twice with two late goals that came against the run of play.

Both sides struggled to create much in a nervy start to proceedings; the first couple of efforts came from Matty Warburton who had two shots that went wide of the mark.

Former Halifax striker Tom Denton stooped low to head in a Liam Mandeville cross just before the half hour mark. The goal was ruled out as the linesman signalled for a foul against Denton.

The hosts started to threaten following that incident and Harvey Gilmour’s corner was sent towards goal by Kieran Green, but Gavin Gunning threw his body in the way to block the ball from going in. 

After some pinball, the ball fell to Jesse Debrah in the area, but his snapshot was well saved by Loach.

Jim Kellermann looked to add another screamer on TV to his collection. However, his shot flew over the top of the goal.

The midfielder played in Mandeville just before the break and he managed to swivel and see his sweetly struck volley saved by Sam Johnson.

Gunning was replaced during the break by Calvin Miller and Denton followed around ten minutes later as Joe Quigley came on for him.

The second substitute almost made and immediate impact. He flicked on Loach’s long ball and set Asante through; the striker was brough down on the edge of the area, but no foul was indicated.

Quigley was afforded a chance of his own soon after. A deft one-two with Asante allowed him to break through on goal but he blazed his golden chance over the bar.

The Spireites continued to bear down on goal with Asante having a couple of shots saved by Johnson.

However, in the 77th minute Halifax took the lead. The ball was played through to Billy Waters who squared it across goal for Jordan Slew and the striker fired past Scott Loach.

The home side soon doubled their lead when Warburton saw his deflected shot bobble past Loach and into the back of the net. The defeat leaves the Spireites in 5th place.

Spireites: Loach; Williams, Gunning (Miller 46), Grimes; King, Weston, Kellermann (McCourt 72), Whittle; Mandeville; Asante, Denton (Quigley 59).

Unused Substitutes: Oyeleke, Whelan.