Two changes for the Spireites today, one enforced with Aaron Downes missing his first match since our trip to Preston in the Carling Cup way back in August 2008. Lloyd Kerry stepped up to replace Darren Currie and Kevin Austin was brought in to partner Danny Hall. Luton stared the drop to the Conference in the face.  

Almost immediately the Spireites got the game by the scruff of the neck with a cross by Jamie Lowry which was headed wide by Jack Lester. Luton hit back with an effort from distance by Keith Keane it went wide though. A game of few chances in the first twenty where a Martin Gritton layoff for Lester saw the striker try an audacious lob from around twenty five yards which went into the Luton fans behind the goal. Keane again tried his luck from distance after a Kevin Nicholls corner but it sailed into the rows of terraced housing behind the Spireite supporters.

25 minutes gone and Kerry running onto a pass pulled up with what appeared like a hamstring injury inexplicably Luton played on after seeing the young man in pain eventually the ball was knocked out of play and allowed the Clay Cross lad to receive treatment off the field, almost immediately the CFC management chose to bring Alan Goodall on to go to the left of midfield with Jamie Lowry centre and Peter Till in his favoured right wing berth. Goodall was in the action straight away with a long range effort saved by Dean Brill.

Mark Bower the on loan defender from Bradford gave the ball away to Goodall on the left hand side and gave an opportunity for Gregor Robertson to get an effort on goal although the attempt went well wide. Best opportunity of the half fell to the Spireites after a lovely ball from Goodall released Lowry who's second attempt at cross found Niven but the Scots header went over the bar disappointingly. Again the Spireites pressed forward and this time it was a layoff by Gritton which released Lester but his shot went over the bar, perhaps more target practice is required was one comment from the press box.

Luton forced another corner and Nicholls again took it, Tommy Lee punched away and David Livermore saw his effort blaze over. On 43 a Robertson free kick was saved by Brill.

HT 0-0 Att: 6494 (437 Spireites)

At half time their was a parade of the Johnstones Paint Trophy which Luton Town won at Wembley last week, all sides of the ground commended the staff that were showing off the cup including the Spireite Support behind the goal it was a nice gesture by our supporters with fresh memories of Hatters fans conduct in 2004.

Straight from the off Luton attacked and a Sam Parkin header hit post/bar. Chesterfield hit back and Lowry shot wide from a Goodall layoff, the former hatter was getting roundly booed by his former supporters. 58 gone and Peter Till was replaced by Darren Currie if we thought Goodall wasn't flavour of the month then Currie was decidedly off the menu at Kenilworth Road as the Hatters fans layed into him, perhaps it was better he played on the right side away from the Main Stand.

Minute later and Kevin Nicholls was booked for a foul on his former workmate Currie. Nicholls then got a shot away saved by Tommy Lee who was being asked questions now by Lutons attack. Another Lee save followed from Gnakpa. The midfielder was then replaced by Ian Henderson, and he set up Asa Hall which followed another save by Lee. Luton well on top at this point and the Spireites reduced to counter attacks. Michael Spillane was brought on in place of Mark Bower and Keith Keane dropped to centre back, with Grimsby winning at Meadow Lane it was all out attack from the Hatters.

A cross from Henderson set up Parkin for a header that went over surely it was easier to score, not this time. Straight up the end and a cross from the right by Currie saw it evade everyone including the on rushing Niven who went close moments later again with a chance in a scramble which he hit wide in a panic. Danny Hall was replaced by Dan Gray in what looked like another injury. In the closing moments Luton's pressure was defended efficiently and the Spireites had a sporadic raid with Niven laying off for Robertson who shot wide.

FT 0-0

This result confimed Luton's relegation from the Football League after 89 years, whilst the Spireites take their battered and bruised side on at least a couple of days rest this week. The injuries this weekend to Downes,Kerry & Hall are an annoyance but it allows the squad to be used and by gum they have to be sharp because it will be a battle and a scrap this coming weekend at home to Gillingham, remember Preistfield in December it won't be one for the faint hearted and for those that can make it then fingers crossed we can get to the ten home wins in a season marker starting with three points on Saturday.

Nice to see Robert Page, Paul Harsley & Jamie Winter all with the squad down at Luton certainly in the first two players we have experience that we just might need and even if they don't play having them around might just be the tonic we require.

By Paul Fisher