Chesterfield coach Gary Roberts admitted that the Spireites “never felt comfortable” during their 3-3 draw against Accrington Stanley on Saturday.
Goals from Tom Naylor, Lee Bonis and James Berry looked to have secured a remarkable turnaround after Tyler Walton’s first-half double had given Accrington a commanding 2-0 lead.
But Charlie Caton’s late header and Bonis’ stoppage-time penalty miss meant that Chesterfield had to settle for a point.
Roberts said: “It was an absolute game of madness and chaos, from minute one to minute 97. We knew the game would be a little bit ‘basketbally’.
“We never got any control in the game. We have to give credit to the lads, 2-0 down after a horrendous start, to pick themselves up and put ourselves in a position where we were ahead.
“All of the staff will agree, we never felt comfortable in the game, we never had control. Really disappointed with the performance.”
Accrington enjoyed a 3-0 win at the SMH Group Stadium last season, and Roberts felt that this game shared similarities with it.
He said: “We knew exactly what was coming. They do not come here and lie down; they don’t go anywhere and lie down. These are big games for Accrington. We knew what was to come and what to expect.
“We never started the game. Started on the back foot, couldn’t win a first contact, couldn’t win a second contact. They totally deserved to take a two-goal lead.
“We have to give the lads some credit for picking themselves up at two-nil down, as well as our fans. At half-time, and just before, they stuck with us and got us there.
“When you go 3-2 up, you can’t keep making the same mistakes as before.
“Accrington will come away gutted that they didn’t get three points. It felt like a cup game, and that didn’t suit us.”
Roberts expressed his frustration with Chesterfield’s slow start in a number of home games this season.
He said: “You give yourself such a struggle to win games starting like this. Crawley went two-up, it’s just giving goals away. It’s not one thing or one player; it’s a collective thing.
“We haven’t lost the game, but it feels like a loss, especially with the penalty miss and Dev’s [Tanton] chance at the end.
“We had enough chances to score goals, but you give yourself a real mountain to climb when you start a game like that.”
The point makes it seven unbeaten now for Chesterfield, despite dropping down to tenth, with Roberts reflecting on the fine margins in the league.
He said: “We have passed so many opportunities now to get into that top bit, and it can’t keep happening.
“Teams go on runs, and you will fall away; that’s on us. We have to make that jump, especially when you have a home game where you have a real chance of getting in that top end, and we have had enough chances now.
“We have to take that step. It takes courage, belief, and a really big character to win your home games and stay there. We have had a couple of opportunities now.”
Roberts gave an update on Will Grigg’s injury, with the Northern Ireland international missing from the matchday squad, saying: “He’s not ready. If we force him into a game today, we might lose him for six to eight weeks.
“We want Will back and playing, but at his age, the injury is not a big one, but it could recur with rush added to it. We have to be really careful.”
