Narrow defeat at Gateshead

Two first-half penalties were enough to condemn the Spireites to a 2-1 defeat against Gateshead at the Gateshead International Stadium.

Paul Cook made six changes to the side that lost to Wealdstone with Ryheem Sheckleford, Tyrone Williams, Bailey Clements, Mike Jones, Tom Naylor and Bailey Hobson coming into the starting XI.

Liam Mandeville’s early free-kick was met by the head of Joe Quigley, but he nodded the ball over the crossbar. The offside flag would’ve halted any celebrations had the ball found the net.

Two minutes later, Mandeville played a low ball through to Armando Dobra, who was denied by a fantastic save from Nathan Harness.

Despite a bright start from the Spireites, Gateshead were awarded a penalty in the 11th minute when Harry Tyrer brought down Dajaune Brown in the area. The goalkeeper almost got a hand to the spot-kick, but Luke Hannant buried his effort into the right corner.

Hobson was a bright spark for Chesterfield in the opening half-an-hour; his creativity created chances, but the ball was staying out of the goal.

In the 32nd minute, the Heed won another penalty. Brown once again beat the offside trap before going down under another challenge from Tyrer – the Everton loanee looked to get a massive chunk of the ball before Brown went down.

Hannant stepped up again and found the back of the net by going the same way, despite Tyrer getting a hand to the ball.

Cook was booked by referee Aaron Bannister after as his protestations continued.

Greg Olley almost added a third for the home side before the break, but his effort from the edge of the box drifted wide of a post.

Chances came at a premium in the second half with the home side defending well to protect their lead.

They almost added another to their tally when Louis Storey headed wide from a free-kick.

On the hour-mark, Mandeville’s low ball was eventually diverted when Storey knocked the ball into his own net.

Dobra sent a volley later on wide of the goal as Chesterfield went in search of an equaliser.

However, Gateshead came away with the win to mark a fourth defeat on the bounce for the Spireites.

Chesterfield: Tyrer, Sheckleford (Jacobs 86), Williams, Grimes ©, Clements, Jones, Naylor, Mandeville, Hobson (Curtis 90), Dobra, Quigley (Colclough 77).

Subs not used: Freckleton, Banks.