Chesterfield recorded a fine 3-2 win at Notts County with Liam Mandeville scoring a late winner following goals from Armando Dobra and Tom Naylor. The result extended their unbeaten run against County to five games.
It was all-square at the interval after County, down to ten men, levelled it at 2-2 in first-half stoppage time but the Spireites stepped up a gear in the second period and were good value for a deserved win that sealed only the second ever win double against Notts.
Paul Cook chose to make four changes to the side that lost to Shrewsbury a week ago. In came Tom Pearce, Mandeville, Dobra and Lee Bonis as Malik Owolabi-Belewu, Ryan Stirk, Will Grigg, James Berry missed out. For Notts, their key striker Alassana Jetta returned from injury but started on the bench.
Naylor took the captain’s armband for the Spireites as the game got underway in bright sunlight but with a cold wind blowing.
The noise from both sets of fans created a lively atmosphere with strong early action as the Spireites kicked towards the County home end. After five minutes, Bonis headed into the centre of the County penalty area but Naylor couldn’t quite connect.
Notts broke well but their promising move ended after a foul on Sam Curtis.
Oliver Norburn picked up the games first yellow card after a foul on Dobra.
The Spireites went close after 14 minutes; a superb ball from Sam Curtis on the right found Bonis eight yards out but, again, his connection wasn’t clean.
A minute later the Spireites took the lead. After great work by Dilan Markanday, Dobra hit powerfully home from 12 yards to James Belshaw’s right.
County were down to men after Norburn picked up his second yellow card after foolishly throwing Dobra’s boot away after it had come loose in play.
Zach Hemming was called into action and produced an alert reflex save after Nick Tsaroulla’s shot from distance. Tasaroulla turned provider as Matt Palmer had his shot blocked.
A cross from Mandeville saw Naylor hit the left upright with an intelligent header from the centre of the area
County levelled in the 37th minute after a goalbound shot from Jodi Jones was turned home by the unfortunate Sil Swinkels.
The Spireites regained the lead with a minute to the interval. Pearce launched a superb ball in from the left and Naylor headed powerfully home.
There was still time for County to draw level. In the first of four minutes added time Matty Platt hit home a right-footed effort into the bottom right corner.
Chesterfield made their first change at the start of the second half as Janoi Donacien replaced Curtis. Three minutes later, Dylan Duffy also joined the action, replacing Pearce.
A slip by Kyle McFadzean let in County’s Matthew Dennis but he was unable to capitalise on their opening.
Dobra weaved his way into the area, after beating two defenders, lined up his shot but blasted wildly over.
County looked to shake things up and made a triple change after 57 minutes.
A period of Chesterfield pressure brought two corners and two blocked shots in the penalty area. The pressure paid off and Mandeville connected with Sammy Braybrooke’s cross from the left and headed superbly home with a diving header from the edge of the six-yard box.
The pressure continued and a Nayor header from close produced a stunning save from Belshaw.
From the break, Bonis found himself clear through but Belshaw did well to avert the danger and concede a corner that came to nothing.
Chesterfield replaced Bonis with Will Grigg and Notts brought Jetta into the game with 13 minutes remaining.
Mandeville played a lovely ball through to Will Grigg on the edge of the edge of the six yard box who was jostled off the ball to end the threat.
Moments later a shot from Braybrooke, from the edge of the area, flew inches wide of Belshaw’s right upright.
Mandeville threaded a super through ball for Markanday, he ran in on goal but hit wildly over at the near post.
Seven added minutes were awarded and the Spireites were able to ease their way through the stoppage time to seal a memorable victory.
Chesterfield: Hemming, Curtis (Donacien 46), McFadzean, Swinkels, Pearce (Duffy 49), Braybrooke, Naylor (Owolabi-Belewu 87),Mandeville, Dobra (Stirk 87), Markanday, Bonis (Grigg 76)
Unused substitutes: Dickson, Berry
Attendance:12,604 (1,954 Spireites)
Referee: Matt Corlett
