Paul Cook’s side played out a 1-1 draw with Scunthorpe United in their final fixture before their Carabao Cup meeting with Fleetwood Town next weekend.
The fixture was played over 120 minutes (45/45/30) as was agreed between the clubs prior to kick-off.
George McEachran put the Spireites in front before Alfie Beestin levelled for the hosts.
Lee Bonis was sent through one-on-one inside four minutes after getting on the end of a long ball, but Scunthorpe ‘keeper Louis Jones ran out well to save.
Moments later, Remeao Hutton’s cross from the right sailed through the Scunthorpe defence towards Bonis. Though the ball was carrying just a little too much pace for the frontman to control and aim goal-wards.
Scunthorpe’s best chance came just after the 20 minute mark when Dec Howe ran in behind the Spireites’ backline towards Ryan Boot’s goal, hitting past the goalkeeper and narrowly wide of the right post with an effort across the face of goal.
Liam Mandeville came close to breaking the deadlock in the 42nd minute. Striding into the box, he saw his right-footed effort turned behind the left post by Jones.
The Spireites took the lead four minutes after the first interval of the game. After an initial Scunthorpe clearance, the ball fell to McEachran on the edge of the box who calmly controlled and fired a fantastic effort into the far right corner beyond the reach of Jones.
Fraser Bryden looked like he was going to make an instant impact after coming on with just over ten to play. Connecting with a cross from the right, he headed towards goal only for Scunthorpe’s substitute goalkeeper to pull of an impressive reaction save.
Another chance for Paul Cook’s side passed by minutes later when Pond clipped the crossbar with a header of his own.
Scunthorpe equalised with 87 played as Beestin slotted past Boot from inside the box.
Bryden had another chance before the 90 was up, this time smashing the right post from a yard or so out after a cross from the right.
The new signing threatened again after 96 minutes, beating his man inside the box and shooting towards the bottom right only for the Scunthorpe goalkeeper to pull off another fine save.
Danny Anisjko was next up to trouble three minutes later. After good midfield play he was set free to ran towards the danger area from the left wing, but his effort was wide of the target.
Spireites: Boot (Sissons 113’), Gordon (Eccleston 46’), Simpson (Dunkley 78’), McFadzean (Pond 78’), Hutton (Whitney 78’), Stirk (Butterfield 62’), McEachran (Lamptey 78’), Markanday (Sotiriou 78’), Mandeville, Koroma (Anisjko 85’), Bonis (Bryden 78’)
Attendance: 1,512 (202)
For the sole purpose of allowing the game to be played for 120 minutes, the match became a ‘one-off competitive fixture’. This was a decision that was agreed by both clubs prior to kick-off.
