Chesterfield left Harrogate Town as victors for the very first time after claiming a deserved 2-1 win thanks to goals in each half from Ronan Darcy and Chey Dunkley.
Really the margin should have been greater with chances not taken in both halves but in the end they did enough to deservedly end Harrogate’s unbeaten record and claim their first ever win over the Sulphurites.
Harrogate went into the game unbeaten this season after their midweek 1-0 victory over Barrow; meanwhile the Spireites were looking to bounce back after their defeat at Gillingham earlier in the week.
Paul Cook chose to make three changes to the starting line-up. In came Matt Dibley-Dias, Dylan Duffy and Lee Bonis as Tom Naylor, Dilan Markanday and Will Grigg stepped aside.
Another great away following greeted the Spireites onto the pitch; they defended the end that housed their support but it was the home side that took the early initiative.
From a quick break Lewis Gordon broke quickly and fed Duffy, who managed an effort on goal but not one that troubled the keeper.
In the next move, Bonis (6) ran strongly and fed Darcy, who swerved one way and then another before slotting coolly past James Belshaw.
Duffy brought a superb tip-away save from Belshaw who was happy to concede the corner.
Armando Dobra tried his luck from 20 yards but his first-time hit was inches wide of Belshaw’s right upright.
The Spireites looked comfortable on the ball and were building their play from the back and creating openings. Darcy burst into the box and hit at an angled shot from the right side of the area, his effort flying wide.
Harrogate’s first move of note in the 17th minute brought a flag-kick taken by Stephen Duke-McKenna but the threat was easily cleared; The Sulphurites had their best chance from a free-kick moments later. Ellis Taylor played the ball square and Bryn Morris was just inches wide with his strike.
Duffy picked up a knock and needed attention but Harrogate didn’t manage to capitalise on their brief numerical advantage.
A couple of quick Spireites breaks followed with Dobra involved in both but, on each occasion, he was dispossessed.
Just one additional minute was awarded but the only action was a Duffy effort wide of Belshaw’s left upright.
Chesterfield were good value for the half-time lead and had looked very comfortable in possession.
Harrogate flew out of the traps at the re-start but the Chesterfield rearguard stood firm.
Dobra had a great opening three minutes into the half but hit Gordon’s ball waywardly over; moments another gilt-edged chance was wasted when Bonis was clear and hit wide when it looked easier to score.
The Spireites were soon made to pay for the misses when the home side equalised in the 50th minute. A long ball found Duke-McKenna who ran strongly and slotted home.
A strong home run down the right from Lewis Cass forced a hurried clearance from Dunkley.
Cook made a double change in the 63rd minute, Dilam Markanday and John Fleck entered play as Duffy and Dibley-Dias made way.
It was Harrogate’s to spurn openings. Morris forced a good save from Hemming and Cass headed narrowly wide.
At the other end Dobra just couldn’t quite control the ball in the area sufficiently to get a shot in
It was real end to end stuff as Taylor couldn’t connect with a cross-field ball in the area
Moments later Dobra created and Stirk had the final hit but sadly way over the crossbar.
So close again for the Spireites as Dobra failed by inches to connect at the far post.
With nine minutes left, the Spireites were awarded a corner. Liam Mandeville floated over a great ball that Dunkley rose well to head home into the top right corner.
Grigg set Dobra free down the left, his shot was put behind for another corner that was eventually cleared.
Three add minutes were awarded and the Spireites handled the time well, ensuring Harrogate didn’t have another opening.
Chesterfield: Hemming, Daley-Campbell, Dunkley, McFazdean, Gordon, Dibley-Dias (Fleck 63), Stirk (Naylor 83), Dufffy (Markanday 63), Darcy (Mandeville 74) Dobra, Bonis (Grigg 75)
Substitutes not used: Boot, Lewis
Referee: Steven Copeland)
Attendance: 3,276 (including 1,050 Chesterfield fans)
