Narrow defeat at Gillingham

A first-half goal from Robbie McKenzie was enough to seal a 1-0 win for Gillingham but the Spireites will be bitterly disappointed not to have gained at least a point from a game that saw them denied time and again by the woodwork and a goal denied by a very contentious off-side decision.

The unbeaten Spireites arrived at Priestfield Stadium to face table-topping Gillingham knowing that just a late Salford equaliser prevented this encounter from being a top-two clash.

Transfer deadline day prompted comings and goings but Paul Cook chose not to start any of the arrivals and, in fact, fielded an unchanged starting XI from the Salford line-up. New signings Jenson Metcalfe and Max Thompson had to settle for places on the bench.

Chesterfield, sporting their new popular away colours for the first time, opted to kick towards their supporters housed in the open end.

It was a strong start from the Spireites with James Berry and Dilan Markanday drawing early fouls and from one free-kick they should have grabbed the lead the fourth minute. Berry was brought down 28 yards out and Darren Oldaker struck well against his old club but unluckily his hit clattered the crossbar and was cleared to safety. Moments later Markanday missed a chance as he hit over the bar from 15 yards.

Completely against the run of play, Gillingham edged ahead from a free-kick, wide left. Jack Nolan floated over a gem of a ball to the far post and McKenzie (8) was there to power his header home.

Buoyed by the lead, the home side took charge and thought they had a good call for a penalty after Vontae Daley Campbell emerged with the ball after a well-timed challenge on Nolan.

The pressure ebbed and flowed and the Spireites should have levelled when Armando Dobra jinked his way into box, got on the end of a four-man move and hit for goal; sadly again the woodwork came to the Gills’ assistance this time Glenn Morris’ left upright.

Nolan showed his pace on the right and hit a strong well angled shot that flew inches wide of Ryan Boot’s right upright.

Lots of possession from the Spireites, primarily down the right flank, saw several promising moves that just didn’t produce that telling final ball; just before the break Markanday received centrally and ran with intent into the box, his hit brought a corner but not the leveller needed that meant Chesterfield were behind at the interval for the first time this season.

Early second half incisive play from Daley-Campbell and Markanday saw plenty of threat and two corners, neither of which created an opening.

The same two combined well on the right and Markanday thought he had equalised after touching home on 51 minutes. The linesman’s flag was up and the goal disallowed but later viewing showed the decision to be incorrect. Tough to take.

Dobra picked up deep and ran strongly forward but drew another foul in a central position just outside the ‘D’. Oldaker stepped up and hit well but his on target effort took a deflection for another flag kick. That came to nothing and the Gills broke. From the next move an astute ball into Chesterfield’s box from the left found George Lapslie unmarked; his well directed header hit Boot’s left upright.

The game turned on its head moments later. From the clearance James Berry sprinted down the left wing and was unceremoniously clattered by the Gills’ captain Max Ehmer. It was his second yellow so he had to walk and the Spireites had a numerical advantage.

Lots of pressure from Chesterfield; one of the best opportunities came when Markanday fed Dobra in the box who just couldn’t get a clean shot away.

In the next move Daley-Campbell blasted a ball across goal but neither Will Grigg or Dobra could get a touch.

Paul Cook made his first change when Michael Jacobs replaced Daley-Campbell (75); five minutes later a double change saw Kane Drummond and new signing Jensen Drummond join the fray as Grigg and Daley-Campbell made way.

The Gills tried a repeat of earlier when they launched a ball across the box from the left and McKenzie got his head to it but couldn’t direct it on target.

The Spireites continued to dominate the ball but were marshalled well; Metcalfe tried his luck from just outside the area but his effort lacked power.

In the 90th minute an equaliser looked certain but instead the woodwork again saved the day for Gillingham. A great ball destined for Drummond saw Tom Naylor hit the woodwork and Berry finally blast over.

In time added on, Chey Dunkley picked up a second yellow to even up the numbers but, more importantly, use up some of the remaining time to help see the Gills through to a crucial three points and ensure the Spireites taste league defeat for the first time this season.

Chesterfield: Boot, Daley-Campbell (Jacobs 75),Taylor, Oldaker, Dunkley, Gordon, Banks (Williams 89), Grigg (Drummond 75) Markanday (Metcalfe 79), Dobra, Berry,

Substitutes not used: Thompson, Grimes, Jones,

Referee: Charles Brakespear

Attendance: 6,954