U18s move joint-top of cup group after away draw

Skyler Gill’s first-half strike was cancelled out by a penalty against the run of play as the young Spireites drew 1-1 at Notts County to remain undefeated in the Youth Alliance Cup with two wins and two draws.

The hosts threatened first after nine minutes with a low effort from inside the box, but keeper Tom Everest Wilcock got down well to save.

The Spireites’ stopper was in action again two minutes later to pounce on a loose ball inside the box to keep the scores level.

Haydn Hollis’ side had a chance of their own two minutes later when Ethan Weaver headed towards the bottom left, but the keeper turned it around the post.

Everest Wilcock came to the rescue again in the 17th minute, this time denying as County struck low from a few yards out.

The Spireites should’ve taken the lead on the half-hour mark when Jack Brassey took the ball past the last line of defence, but the keeper turned his low effort behind for a corner.

The deadlock was broken four minutes from the interval when Brassey broke down the right, sliding a low cross to the back post for Gill to find the back of the net.

They should’ve made it two on the stroke of half time when Brassey flicked a header on for Gunner Elliott, but he couldn’t find a way past the keeper.

Elliott had another chance three minutes after the break, but he couldn’t keep his close-range effort down as he tried to drop it over the keeper.

The Magpies had a chance to level in the 55th minute when their left winger afforded space inside the box, but Everest Wilcock was equal to the effort.

The home side were awarded a penalty in the 67th minute after Weaver brought down the attacker inside the box.

The penalty was converted, bringing the scores level despite the Spireites’ dominance .

Gill almost got a second two minutes later to give his side the lead again, but his effort from a few yards out looped over the bar.

Elliott had another opportunity five minutes into stoppage time, trying a bicycle kick inside the box, but the keeper somehow scrambled to keep it out.

Despite a barrage of chances for the Spireites in the nine added minutes, they couldn’t find a way through a stubborn County defence and were forced to settle for a point.

Their final group stage game sees them travel to Burton Albion in early December.

Spireites: Everest Wilcock, Smith, Wainman (White 69), Hague (McKernan 56), Weaver, Whitney, Gill, Reah, Elliott, Pawson (Ward 69), Brassey.

Unused subs: Bointon, Hardy.