Chesterfield lost 1-0 in Gloucestershire to a heartbreakingly late goal that gave Cheltenham Town a victory that, on balance of play, they didn’t warrant.
The game had been a lack-lustre affair that never rose to any great heights but the Spireites had dominated possession and had the better openings without being able to convert that dominance into goals.
A disappointing outcome to a game that had looked to have 0-0 written all over it for most of the second half but the Robins found that vital spark when it mattered.
Paul Cook made three changes from the midweek win over Bromley. Into the starting line-up came Tyrone Williams, Paddy Madden and new signing Michael Olakigbe as the injured Kyle McFadzean, Bim Pepple and Liam Mandeville missed out.
Chesterfield chose to kick towards the end that housed the travelling supporters. Ethon Archer made a couple of early promising runs down the left flank; for the Spireites, Madden led the attack with Dylan Duffy and Olokigbe on the two wings.
Cheltenham picked up the game’s first booking in the 8th minute after Duffy made a late challenge, wide-right, on Arkell Jude-Boyd.
Moments later the Spireites looked to the referee after Olakigbe put a great ball into the area from the right, Duffy went down after a challenge that warranted an appeal but referee Jacob Miles didn’t agree.
The Robins had to make an early change (17) as their captain Scot Bennett took a knock and had to be replaced by Val Adedokun.
Shots had been at a premium with just two wayward efforts by the mid-point of the half; first Madden and subsequently Tommy Backwell hit wildly over for the home side.
Olakigbe was proving to be such a handful down the right that, at times, it took two men to cut out the danger. Just after the half hour, instead of crossing, he cut inside and tried his luck from 15 yards; the effort forced a save but the resulting corner ran to safety.
Olakigbe picked up a needless yellow card just before the 45 minutes were up as he looked to delay a home free-kick but there was still time for the Robins to go close as Archer got to Jude-Boyd’s cross and forced Max Thompson to tip-over
.
Overall a solid first half with several quality balls hit into the box that the Spireites were not quite able to capitalise on.
No changes at the start of the second period as the Spireites looked to step up a gear.
Cheltenham won a free-kick just outside the area, the ball was floated over to the far post for central defender Sam Stubbs to connect but head over.
Duffy floated over a great free-kick on the left that brought a corner on the right. Jack Sparkes’ flag kick forced keeper Joe Day into an acrobatic save.
Sparkes received in the box and cut inside, he floated over a great ball for Tom Naylor who couldn’t get a clean connection as he headed over.
Moments later Armando Dobra jinked forward and hit for goal, his effort earned a corner after a deflection.
Cheltenham made a double substitution midway through the half as George Miller and Ethan Williams replaced Ashley Hay and Tommy Backwell.
Sparkes picked up a knock that needed attention; it was decided to not risk playing on and Ryan Colclough took his place as part of a double change that also saw Pepple replace Madden.
With 12 minutes remaining, Olakigbe almost broke the deadlock; the assumption was he’d pass but instead he surged forward, cut inside and hit a curling shot inches wide of Day’s left upright. No to be outdone, Archer tried a similar effort from 25 yards that flew past the post.
In the 85th minute, Duffy provided a great cross from the left but Naylor headed agonisingly wide.
A great run from Darren Oldaker enabled him to feed substitute Pepple inside the area; he was brought down but, again, the referee didn’t think unfairly.
Four minutes were added which gave Cheltenham enough time to go ahead after 92 minutes. Jordan Thomas forced Thompson into a good save and Jude-Boyd was there to hit home the loose ball.
The Spireites had a late free-kick from Duffy that couldn’t get through a packed defence. Thompson had joined the action but there was to be no leveller.
Spireites: Thompson, Sheckleford, Williams, Grimes ©, Sparkes (Colclough 71), Naylor, Oldaker, Olakigbe (Banks 81), Dobra, Duffy, Madden (Pepple 71
Unused subs: Boot, Mandeville, Fleck, Metcalfe
Attendance: 3,868 (including 576 Chesterfield supporters)
Referee: Jacob Miles
