Lee Richardson was forced into one change to the starting line-up for the trip to Bradford. Jamie Winter was among those suffering from a stomach bug and was rested to the bench, with Darren Currie coming in to replace him.

Jack LESTER gave Chesterfield a dream start on 3 when he latched on to Ward's pass to rifle a left-footed shot past Evans in the City goal.

The first corner of the game went to Bradford on 10, after a cross cannoned off Lowry. Nix's cross went out for another corner but Carson came and collected under pressure. The Spireites responded with a corner of their own on 12 but City won the ball back and broke, although Daley was found offside as the ball went forward.

Ward broke through on 14 after Clarke and Evans got in a tangle but his shot from the edge of the area went narrowly wide. Clarke, on loan from Huddersfield, was having a rough start against the pacy forward. Bradford responded but left space outside their box that our Lloyd Kerry was happy to press into. Lester shot just over on 17. Daley broke into the area on 19 but Aaron Downes pulled a tackle out of the top drawer to deny him.

Chesterfield were on top and a move involving Ward on 23 broke down when he had the chance of a pass to let Lowry in, but Lester recovered the ball and found Currie, who shot wide. CURRIE would not be denied, however, and arrowed a shot into the left-hand side of Evans' goal to extend the lead on 24, after great work involving Gray and Lowry.

City had desperate claims for a penalty against Austin for hands turned down on 28 but the homesters won a free kick inside the "D" straight away. Graham Lee strode up to rifle the ball home and claw a goal back.

Goodall went into the book on 33 for a foul on Daley. Page followed him two minutes later for a foul on Conlon. City pulled level a minute after that when Boulding headed Law's cross past Carson. He might have given City the lead on 42 but Carson pulled off a fine save to deny him.

Halftime: 2-2.

Bradford pressed from the resumption and O'Brien supplied Boulding, who shot wide. The former Stag had another great chance on 47 but Carson came out to narrow the angle and the forward shot wide. City were dominating the midfield and coming forward with some purpose, but were found quivering at the back whenever Chesterfield were able to mount an attack of their own. A great ball from Currie allowed Ward to supply Lester with a great chance on 56 but Jack's shot found the side netting. Ward was off balance when receiving Lester's pass on the hour and couldn't get a decent contact.

It was City's turn to press again. Downes came to Chesterfield's rescue on 63 after Daley beat Gray and crossed, hooking the ball out for a corner. Peter Thorne, the division's joint-top scorer, came on to replace Omar Daley on 65.

Ward was booked on 69 after going in hard on Nix, largely out of frustration at losing possession.

Goodall was sent off on 72, shown a second yellow after he brought Law down to concede a penalty that Barry Conlon buried. Conlon picked up a yellow card for taking his shirt off as part of his celebration. The Spireites reorganised, bringing Robertson on for Gray on 77 and going three at the back, with Robertson in midfield. Rhys Evans produced a great save to deny Kerry and O'Brien hooked the ball clear before Currie could close in.

Thorne had the ball in the net on 84 after a good move but the offside flag denied him. Currie won a corner on 88 but the opportunity was wasted.