The Spireites won 2-0 at Woking following goals from Joe Quigley and Armando Dobra.
Chesterfield’s much changed side had to work hard to defeat a stubborn Woking side that put in a performance that belied their recent form but rarely threatened to breach the hard working Spireites defence that, again, saw captain Jamie Grimes as imperious as ever.
Ryheem Sheckleford was excellent throughout, Dobra ran tirelessly but it was a goal of quality that broke the home hearts – an incisive through ball from Tom Naylor saw a rejuvenated Quigley slot home with ease.
The late second goal was, again, a quality move as Liam Mandeville gave the lively Dobra a gilt-edged opening that eased the nerves and enabled the team to grab the three points that helped everyone get over the weekend setback.
The Spireites arrived at in-form Southend three days ago on a 15-match unbeaten run but the Shrimpers came from behind to edge a hard-fought but deserved win. Woking also tasted defeat at the weekend. Oldham triumphed by a single goal at the Kingfield Stadium; it was their fourth straight loss and the second consecutive home setback.
Paul Cook chose to make six changes from Saturday’s starting line-up: In came Dobra, Quigley, Sheckleford, James Berry, Miguel Freckleton and Mike Jones as Branden Horton, Ryan Colclough, Ollie Banks, Darren Oldaker, Michael Jacobs and Will Grigg had to settle for a place on the bench.
The game kicked off with the pitch showing some ”give” from earlier rain but no sign of it resuming.
The Spireites started strongly and dominated possession in the early stages. Freckleton took an early knock but was able to resume after treatment.
A superb long diagonal ball from Grimes found Sheckleford, wide right; his dangerous ball in was held well by goalkeeper Alexis Andre Jr.
Woking came into the game and had a lively period threatening strongly via Morgan Williams and Alfie Pavey with Sheckleford performing admirably at the back.
At the half-way mark, Harry Tyrer was tested with Woking’s first corner, from the right; he held at the second attempt.
Dan Moss picked up the game’s first yellow card; no debate here as he clattered Berry over the left touchline with no thought of playing the ball.
Chesterfield gained a corner with 11 minutes to the break after Dobra did well to lay back to Berry, who saw the opening and hit goalwards. Andre did well to palm to safety via the crossbar. Five minutes later they improved on that effort as Naylor slid through the perfect through ball for Quigley to run on to. He made no mistake and slotted coolly home for his seventh strike of the campaign.
Four minutes were added but neither side managed to fashion an opening before referee Gary Parsons blew for the break. At the interval Woking may have felt their endeavour should have earned parity but they hadn’t managed to seriously test Tyrer whereas one moment of quality gave the Spireites a precious lead.
Defensively, Shackleton had shone throughout and his pace also offered a threat going forward.
The Spireites resumed with the same XI and pressed forward from the off but struggled to keep possession on a surface that was getting heavier.
Ten minutes into the half, Cook pointed out the incessant shirt pulling and inevitably received a yellow card for his contribution.
A defensive lapse saw Padraig Amond pick up and try his luck from distance. Tyrer saw the danger and claimed well.
Cook made his first change just after the hour as Colclough took over from Berry.
A promising move in the area saw Colclough feed Quigley, whose goalbound shot was blocked well by Greg Taylor.
Dobra continued to be a live-wire and teased the home defenders before releasing to Quigley who was dispossessed by Charlie Wakefield.
The telling final ball just wouldn’t come after lots of impressive approach play from the Spireites.
Home caretaker manager Ian Dyer made two quick changes.
A second goal for the Spireites looked likely after Freckleton set Colclough free; he went on a mazy run and caried on and on before hitting inches wide of the home keeper’s left upright.
Moments later that second finally arrived. Mandeville received inside the area, jinked forward before spotting Dobra making a run; his ball into the six-yard box was confidently touched home by the grateful Dobra.
Will Grigg almost made it three but his angled drive was narrowly wide of the upright.
Five added minutes were awarded and just after the board was held up, Colclough hit strongly from 15 yards that forced an alert save from Andre.
The Spireites managed the remaining time well, apart from Jones picking up an unnecessary yellow card that will now trigger an immediate suspension, and bounced back well from Saturday’s disappointment.
Chesterfield: Tyrer, Mandeville (Jacobs 86),Palmer, Grimes ©, Freckleton, Naylor, Jones, Sheckleford, Dobra, Berry (Colclough 62), Quigley (Grigg 84)
Referee: Gary Parsons
Attendance: 2,169 (361)
