October kicked off with a trip to Colchester, where we've done miserably in recent times, but confidence was high this time, given our recent run of form. The U's had done their bit to attract extra support by putting on some stuff for children, like having the match ball delivered by helicopter and a half-time mascot's penalty shootout.

As it turned out, the home side did a Town and let the youngsters down by being outclassed on the day. We were far more dominant than the scoreline suggested and their injury time Iwelumo goal was merely a superb effort for the youngsters to enthuse over after much rubbish. Our goals were well poached affairs with Larkin bagging the first after their keeper spilled a Hall cross and Hall grabbed the winner just after the break with a neat shot across Davison.

Owing to Bristol City's international call-ups, we were without a fixture for a fortnight and when we eventually turned out at the National Hockey Stadium in Milton Keynes, it showed. Despite an unchanged team for the first time this season, we looked lethargic and just could not get going. The home side squandered numerous opportunities, including a moment of pure comedy as the ball pinged across our goalmouth, hitting both posts and Blathers, but somehow staying out. Roche had to be alert throughout, but only Niven of the rest looked on the pace.

An inspired Rochey & woodwork kept MK Dons at bay

The second half saw Alex Bailey on as sub for his first action since the opening day and the sending off of Dons' skipper, Mitchell on 70 minutes. The ref was correct, because he had warned him seconds before, having already booked him. None of his transgressions were serious, but they were persistent and Danny Wilson's subsequent banishment to the stand was probably more to do with frustration at his own folly in not substituting his captain than at the referee for the dismissal. Allott almost won it for us at the death, but in the end, our first draw of the season came as a slight bonus after a poor display.

Midweek had us visiting our neighbours just over the tops at Moss Rose in the LDV Vans Trophy and, for the second year in a row, we were rubbish and well beaten. It might have been different if the Chief's magnificent effort after 30-odd minutes had been allowed, but it was mysteriously chalked off and we created little thereafter. Our general play was lacklustre at best and only Alan O'Hare was anything like on form. Macc, struggling at next-to-bottom of the league, duly netted twice in the second half to send us home miserable. Of particular note was the fact that only one side of the ground was open for the game and we probably outnumbered the home support in an attendance of just 796.

A hugely different challenge awaited us on the Saturday with table-topping Huddersfield in Town, backed by a decent following. The Terriers had Carss and the understandably unpopular Hudson in the side with the similarly unpopular Brandon on the bench. Martin Booty was also on the bench in his trainer-esque kind of role. Anyway, the game turned out to be awesome with Allison opening the scoring with a magnificent finish against his home-town club on 11 minutes. Hall's exquisite goal on 27 added to the tally and Larkin's poach on 44, after robbing the beleaguered Murfin, left us in dreamland at half-time.

Larks in dreamland  3-0 half time against theTerriers

The Terriers almost got back into it soon after the resumption, but Roche saved Abbott's penalty. Hudson, who had a superb game, despite serious attention from Niven pulled one back with 10 minutes left to spark a ludicrous end to the game. Nicholson scored a penalty won by Larkin, then Worthington and Holdsworth netted for the visitors after some panicked defending by us to leave a frantic injury time where we just held on for a deserved win. Despite the goals, Roche was the hero with several vital saves, particularly from the talented, but frustrated Abbott. Post-match spirits were dampened only slightly by the unappealing draw of Leyton Orient away in the FA Cup, as Tom Finney drew us out as the very last ball.

Midweek had the postponed Bristol City game to look forward to and the kids-a-quid initiative saw a sizeable group of youngsters in the ground during half-term week. Was this planned or was it luck, I wonder? Anyway it looked like we would do the usual and draw lots of new potential supporters in then let them down as the first half was dull and sleepy.

The second period was a different tale, however, as Wayne Allison put us ahead with an Ernie Moss-like header from a Nicholson free-kick, giving Phillips no chance. Nicholson wrapped it up with a swinging, low free kick and a late, twice-taken penalty after Allison was fouled in the box. The children had great fun with the penalty, running to the Kop end to get a better view, running back when it went in, then repeating the exercise when they realised a retake was necessary. It was all great fun and, we hope, a successful venture into getting them back as the fanbase of the future.

Shinner celebrates his second goal and spot kick against Bristol City

The last action of the month saw a rare visit to Swansea, but thankfully, to a new ground. I always felt that Vetch Field was the most depressing ground in the league. The Liberty Stadium is entirely different and an excellent place, though the game didn't do much for the Spireites' cause.

Swansea's magnificent Liberty Stadium

We were 2 down in 11 minutes, pulled one back from Blathers and looked well in it, then Trundle did us again before 30 minutes was up. We fought back again, but deep into injury time, Clingan gave away possession and Tudur-Jones luckily netted to kill us off. Trundle's hat-trick duly arrived as he turned Blathers inside out again and we were stuffed 5-1. The score, however, did not reflect play. One man, as is so often the case, made a massive difference. If Swansea lose Lee Trundle in the transfer window, they are likely to struggle. That said, keeper Geuret and central defender Iriekpen also had excellent games to thwart us on numerous occasions. In typical Swansea fashion, it also rained heavily.  It was that kind of day.

So, many positives can be counted in the month with some excellent opportunist goalscoring and some effective set pieces. Midfield has done well, but defensively we've ranged from tenacious and commanding to panicky and disorganised. Both the negatives did, however, manifest themselves mainly against two fine attacking sides. Alex Bailey has, thankfully, returned to fitness and also almost top form, whilst Gareth Davies can count himself unlucky not to keep his place. His inclusion at Swansea in a withdrawn midfield role might have protected the defence and given the game a better outcome. The big mystery is Sammy Clingan. He's looked reasonable when he's come on as substitute, but in his two starts in the month he's been poor. It's a good job we haven't shelled out money for him as it would not be well spent given current displays. It could be down to his not having had a pre-season with injury and so suffering with match fitness and confidence, but it is certainly bewildering. He looks nowhere near the influential match-running midfielder of last season.

The Chief

Johns man of the month

Finally, to man of the month and again it's a difficult choice with Roche, Nicholson, Hall, Niven, Allott and Larkin all in contention with some fine displays. My vote, however, goes to Wayne Allison for his goals and his all-round contribution. He's a top man and it's a shame he's now 37 and we can't rely on him for too much longer given his age.

John Taylor