Chesterfield tasted defeat in the league for the first time this season as they lost 4-1 at Gillingham. Armando Dobra scored for his second goal in two games.
Lots of good football played but the home side had the edge in terns of threat and finishing and ended strongly.
The Spireites arrived at Priestfield Stadium with three league wins behind them. The Gills grabbed an added-time leveller at Prenton Park at the weekend to maintain their 15 match unbeaten league run and also beat much-fancied Walsall on home soil in their previous outing.
Paul Cook chose to make two changes to the side that started against Bristol Rovers. Will Grigg and Ronan Darcy claimed places as Lee Bonis and Dylan Duffy had to settle for places on the bench.
The conditions were perfect for football: pitch like a bowling green and the temperature exactly right.
A very even start saw Vontae Daley-Campbell get a vital connection in the third minute to break up a promising Gillinghan attack.
The Spireites went close in the sixth minute after good build-up work by Dobra and Dilan Markanday allowed Tom Naylor, making his 100th Chesterfield appearance, to have a shot at goal from inside the six-yard box; the angle was too tight and the effort ended in the side-netting.
The Spireites were stroking the ball around well, using the full width of the pitch and involving every outfield player
After a quarter of an hour, Dobra and Lewis Gordon linked well to provide an opening for Darcy but the ball was hit hit with too much pace for Darcy to control; his rushed effort flew wide. Two minutes later Darcy tested the keeper, Glenn Morrison, who cleared well but the flag was raised for offside to end the move.
A big controversy in the 26th minute as referee Craig Hicks had no hesitation in awarding a penalty after Zach Hemming was judged to have connected with Josh Andrews, as he cleared his area. It looked a harsh decision but one that the home fans supported and cheered when Armani Little slotted home to Hemming’s right to give the Gills a lead they hardly warranted.
Five minutes later Andrews had a clear opening but hit wide of the same upright from 20 yards.
The goal gave a new impetus to the home side but the Spireites were soon back in the groove and looked to resume their passing game. Two added minutes were awarded and Markanday was fouled just outside the area; he took the kick himself but the threat fizzled and nothing more created before the half-time whistle.
The Spireites resumed, kicking towards their impressive midweek following but it was Gillingham who looked the livelier. Four minutes into the half the referee awarded a second penalty after Elliott Nevitt was judged to have been fouled by Ryan Stirk; again a decision to debate.
Within three minutes the Spireites were back in the game. Grigg laid back well and Dobra hit sweetly home into Morris’ right corner.
There was no time for a leveller as the Gills notched a third three minutes later. Lenni Cirino was able to connect with a long through ball; it looked difficult to control but he managed to get in a scuffed shot that beat Hemming from close range and restored the home side’s two-goal lead.
The Spireites made a triple change as they looked to find that extra spark. Certainly they were having the lion’s share of the ball but were finding it difficult to create an opening. Darcy got on the end of a great ball forward but his hit was wayward.
Moments later Darcy made way for Duffy. Gillingham also made changes including bringing the hugely experienced Sam Vokes into the game as Andrews made way.
It was wave after wave of Spireite attacks, the latest ending with Markanday hitting the side-netting from distance.
From a break two substitutes combined to add a fourth for the Gills. Nelson Khumbeni provided a gem of a ball from the left for Marcus Willie to stroke coolly home.
Chesterfield FC: Hemming, Daley-Campbell (Mandeville 69), Dunkley, McFadzean, Gordon (Lewis 87), Naylor (Fleck 69), Stirk, Markanday, Darcy (Duffy 76), Dobra, Grigg (Bonis 68)
Subs not used: Boot, Grimes
Referee: Craig Hicks
Attendance: 5,518 (including 218 Chesterfield supporters)
