Spireites win on the road

The Spireites recorded a first clean sheet of a season to seal a 1-0 win away at Ebbsfleet United.

Armando Dobra’s first goal of the season in the 83rd minute proved to be enough for the Blues.

Paul Cook named an unchanged side with Ryan Colclough getting his first start since signing his new contract. Harley Curtis was named on the bench for the first time in place of Darren Oldaker.

The Spireites should have taken the lead within four minutes when Colclough’s low cross was turned onto a post via the foot of Michael Jacobs. Liam Mandeville was first to the ball and fired an effort that Mark Cousins was equal to.

Chesterfield continued to hunt for the opening goal as Dobra had a tame effort saved and Tom Naylor headed wide from a free-kick.

Omari Sterling-James had the home side’s first effort as his curling shot from just outside the box whistled wide of the post.

Colclough was frustrated a couple of times just before the break; he had two low drives that were saved by Cousins in the Ebbsfleet goal.

Jacobs thought he had grabbed the opener when his rolling effort struck a post.

The Spireites continued to hunt down that elusive goal but found a seemingly impenetrable obstacle in their way – Cousins.

Ebbsfleet’s goalkeeper produced brilliant saves to deny Dobra before an excellent double save to stop Will Grigg and Mike Jones.

Jacobs and Mandeville became the latest to be frustrated by Cousins before the all-important first goal.

Substitute James Berry was well picked out down the left before his low cross found Dobra, who chipped Cousins from close-range.

Jacobs was sent-off early into added time when he was shown a second yellow card for taking too long at a throw-in.

Chesterfield: Tyrer, Mandeville, Williams, Grimes (C), Freckleton, Naylor, Jones, Jacobs, Dobra (Banks 90), Colclough (Berry 76), Grigg (Quigley 80).

Unused Substitutes: Palmer & Curtis.