Chesterfield had to settle for a point in Saturday’s chaotic 3-3 draw against Accrington Stanley, despite taking the lead after overturning a two-goal deficit.
A flurry of goals, either side of half-time, 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 2-0 lead.
But Charlie Caton’s late header and Bonis’ 93rd-minute penalty miss meant that the points were shared.
Paul Cook named an unchanged side from last Saturday’s FA Cup triumph over Stevenage, which saw the Spireites progress to the second round, where they will face Doncaster Rovers next month.
It was a sedate opening to the game with Accrington content to slow the pace down from the off.
Chesterfield struggled to get into any rhythm despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession.
And against the run of play, with their first counter-attacking opportunity, the visitors took a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute.
Isaac Heath’s strike was blocked by Chey Dunkley, but the ball fell to Walton on the edge of the area, and his sweetly struck volley found the bottom corner.
Buoyed by the goal, Accrington had another chance shortly after when Conor Grant tested Zach Hemming from range.
Stanley then doubled their advantage with 26 minutes played.
A deep corner was kept alive at the far post, and Walton was alert on the goal line to head home, despite protestations from those in blue who were calling for offside.
Chesterfield looked for a response through Dilan Markanday and Berry, though neither effort troubled Ollie Wright.
Despite sustained possession from the Spireites, Accrington looked a constant threat every time they broke forward.
Then, in stoppage time, the Spireites halved the deficit. Berry’s inch-perfect cross found Naylor, and his diving header flew past Wright in the Accrington goal.
After the break, Chesterfield raced out of the blocks and levelled the game just two minutes into the half.
Markanday threaded the ball through to Bonis, who expertly chipped his finish over the onrushing Wright.
All the momentum was with the home team following the goal, with Berry being the focal point of the Spireites’ attacks.
And it was Berry who completed the turnaround for Chesterfield just after the hour-mark.
After a mesmerising run from Markanday, the winger’s cross looped into the air and Berry rose highest to nod home.
Accrington, who had looked a beaten side after Berry’s goal, suddenly equalised with 15 minutes to play.
Hemming misjudged his punch from a corner, and Caton was the first to react and head home.
Caton then had a golden opportunity to give Accrington the lead, but his volleyed effort whistled past the far post.
As the game ticked over into stoppage time, the game was on a knife-edge.
And in the 93rd minute, the referee pointed for a Chesterfield penalty after an Accrington defender was penalised for a foul in the area.
But Bonis’s spot kick was well saved by Wright in the dying moments.
The Spireites then felt they should have had another penalty with the last kick of the game, but the referee waved any appeals away and called time on the clash.
Chesterfield: Hemming, Daley-Campbell (Donacien 46), McFadzean, Dunkley, Gordon (Lewis 86), Fleck, Naylor, Markanday (Tanton 86), Berry, Mandeville (Darcy 61), Bonis
Attendance: 7,822
