Spireites exit play-offs after goalless draw at Meadow Lane

Just one place and one point separated the two teams in the league season, and the latest game showed how closely matched they were, but on the night, no goals but chances and effort galore and a result that saw Notts edge past the Spireites over two hard fought games and clinch a visit to Wembley for the League Two play-off final.

The Spireites arrived at Meadow Lane with a one goal deficit from the previous Sunday play-off semi-final first leg at the SMH; Liam Mandeville was upended and Lee Bonis saw his early penalty cannon off the base of the upright, subsequently Jayden Luker  put County ahead in the 28th minute, firing home Tom Iorpena’s low cross. Chesterfield battled well but just couldn’t get the leveller their play warranted.

Paul Cook chose to make three changes from the side that started the first encounter. For the sold-out second leg, in came Janoi Donacien, Tom Naylor and James Berry as the injured Armando Dobra, Sam Curtis and Liam Mandeville missed out.

The 1900+ Chesterfield supporters were in great voice as they greeted the team onto the pitch, the atmosphere was electric and a place at Wembley to play for.

Chesterfield had the kick-off and immediately gave away a throw-in to County. The first opening came in the fourth minute when James Berry received the final ball just inside the area on the left; he looked to curl the ball home but it drifted wide of the upright.

Donacien battled well on the right but his strong ball into the middle couldn’t find a taker.

Dilan Markanday ran 30 yards centrally and was brought down five yards outside the area, Berry stepped up, his blast took a deflection and earned the Spireites their first corner that County did well to clear.

A well-timed tackle from Donacien stopped a dangerous run from Tom Iorpenda as he approached the penalty area.

In the 18th minute Scott Robertson tried a shot from 30 yards but Ryan Boot claimed safely.

A poor clearance from Boot caused problems but, in the end, he was on hand to save at the feet of Alassana Jatta who had looked set to poke home.

Bonis was fouled, wide left; Berry’s floated ball in was held well by home keeper James Belshaw.

Berry had a good chance to try his luck with another free-kick, this time after his shirt had been pulled. His floated ball was claimed easily by Belshaw.

Ryan Stirk took a knock and needed treatment but wasn’t able to continue, forcing an early substitution as John Fleck took over just four minutes before the break.

Four added minutes were awarded and Jatta was through in the first of the four, thankfully an off-side flag ended the move.

The Spireites gained a free-kick, wide-left; Fleck took it and caused problems in the Notts defence that were, all of a sudden, having to deal with something different.

No further openings so it was all square at the interval with both sides having looked capable of scoring and conceding.

Notts started the second period strongly with Jodi Jones forcing Boot into an alert low-down save with a strong angled drive.

Moments later Luker missed the best chance of the game; a super ball across the box from Iorpenda provided the opening but Luker’s hit flew over the crossbar.

Sil Swinkels produced a fantastic tackle on Jatta to concede a corner but save a certain goal.

At the other end Markanday looked to have broken the deadlock but his effort was saved well by Belshaw who tipped away for a corner.

Berry provided a great diagonal through-ball for Bonis; he ran well but couldn’t retain possession.

Paul Cook made his first change of the half as Curtis took over from Donacien after 62 minutes. County followed suit five minutes later with a double change.

Ten minutes later Cook made three more changes as Mandeville. Will Grigg and Dylan Duffy brought fresh legs to the game.

There was a new life to the game as both teams upped the tempo and showed fresh urgency.

Referee Thomas Parsons had to be replaced after what looked like a hamstring injury; the delay helped County as the rhythm Chesterfield had been displaying was disrupted.

No board was held up with the added time but the TV coverage stated nine had been awarded and it was all action. Every ball was fought for and no tackle shirked.

Swinkels almost gifted County a winner but his wayward back pass flew out for a corner. In the last seconds of the game Belshaw had to claim well as the ball looked to be sneaking into the top right corner but moments later the final whistle blew to confirm County’s aggregate win and their visit to Wembley on Monday, May 25.