The Spireites’ losing streak came to an end but they were still forced to settle for a point after drawing 1-1 with Aldershot Town at The EBB Stadium on Tuesday night.
Paul Cook made two changes from the side that fell to defeat to Notts County as Ryheem Sheckleford replaced the suspended Jeff King. Paul McCallum also came in for his first start in the place of Joe Quigley.
Reece Hutchinson gave the home side the lead in the first half – wrapping up a quick Aldershot counter-attack. McCallum poked home in the second half to get his first for the club and secure a point.
The opening exchanges failed to produce much in the way of clear-cut possession or chances.
Aldershot almost took an early eight-minute lead when Justin Amaluzor was played through on goal. He tried to square it to Morgan Roberts, but the ball was just a little bit in front of the winger.
Tim Akinola was a bright spark for Chesterfield early on with his pace and skill causing problems. McCallum was also having a steady full debut as he dealt with a number of long balls well.
The home side took the lead in the 21st minute when they caught the Blues back-line with a swift counter. Reece Hutchinson was found with a through ball, and he slotted the ball beyond Ross Fitzsimons.
Joe Partington almost made it to just after the half-hour mark as he fired over the bar from close-range.
The Spireites were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position just before the break; Ollie Banks assumed responsibility and saw his deflected effort go just wide of the post.
A response was needed from the away side, and it came within in the opening 120 seconds of the second half. Sheckleford’s cross fell to the feet of McCallum and the striker hammered the underside of the bar from six yards before stabbing home at the second attempt.
McCallum should have doubled his tally for the night soon after; a lovely Armando Dobra through ball found the goal scorer but poked the shot agonisingly wide.
The two sides continued to hunt for the winning goal. Both Hutchinson and Akinola broke free around the halfway line and were denied by the respective goalkeepers.
Substitute Joe Quigley saw two late efforts go inches wide and the sides were forced to settle for a point each.
Chesterfield: Fitzsimons, Sheckleford, Palmer, Grimes ©, Horton (Maguire 90+2), Jones, Mandeville (Colclough 76), Banks, Akinola, Dobra, McCallum (Quigley 76).
Unused Substitutes: Williams, Oldaker.
