The Spireites started this game with five consecutive draws but a more worrying stat was the failure to convert in the last two, however with one defeat in fifteen a chance for the Spireites to consolidate for a playoff position. It was known prior to this match that Aaron Downes would miss most of the year with a knee injury and that Lloyd Kerry wouldn't make this game. In stepped Drew Talbot back from injury himself and added width and speed to a Spireite side. Gillingham made no changes to the starting eleven.

A blank first openers between the two promotion chasing sides, a Gregor Robertson free kick went straight through to Simon Royce. On 11 though a ball from Talbot played Robertson who took the ball to the byline and pulled it back for Lester who spooned the ball over the bar under much pressure though from John Nutter. A Jamie Lowry pass on 15 placed Martin Gritton with an opportunity but his shot also went over the bar. It was quite clear that Danny Hall was struggling with a previous injury picked up at Luton.

Gillingham took the lead on 21 when a Nutter cross saw MARK McCAMMON plant a header past Tommy Lee hitting the bar and boucing down over the goalline and it gave the Gills the goal they required. The Spireites hit back straight away and Derek Niven broke through and placed the ball to Lester and off balance his shot went over the bar for the second time.

A yellow card was shown to Gills captain Barry Fuller after a robust challenge on Drew Talbot. Simeon Jackson then went close shooting wide from a tight angle. Curtis Weston shot wide with a great opportunity before the stroke of half time.

HT 0-1 Att: 3933 (517 Gills)

A half time substitution for the Spireites replaced injured Hall with Dan Gray, on 47 the Spireites had a great chance with a cross from Jared Wilson which Gritton got his head onto but again the Spireites failed to hit the target. No further chances happened for the next ten and the Spireites appeared a little shot shy, but eventually breaking down the right with a cross from Lowry and Derek Niven's header went wide.

On 62 minutes Ben Algar replaced Peter Till with Drew Talbot moving to the right and immediately getting into the action bearing down on goal with a shot easily saved by Royce who got his legs to stop the ball. On 67 a cross by Lowry found Kevin Austin unmarked at the back post who's header smacked against the upright and the following shot by Talbot clear the bar. The Spireites were beginning to up the tempo and a Lester run down the right from a Talbot pass went wide. The Gills made two subsitutions with Dennis Oli and Martin Bentley coming on for Josh Wright & Mark McCammon.

A foul on 72 byRichards saw a great chance for Lester from a free kick but again the ball sailed over the bar. Moments later a ball from Algar found Lester who shot and saw it saved by Royce, Lester immediately gave himself another opportunity and his shot evaded everyone as it sailed past both posts with no onrushing Spireite.

Time was running out now for the Spireites and Lester nipped the ball from Mark Bentley and saw Derek Niven at the far post who if he could shoot with his left wouldn't have seen the ball fly past the right hand post of the Gills goal. Royce moments later saved a shot by Talbot as the chances began to dry up. Scott Boden replaced Jared Wilson in stoppage time closely followed by Nicky Southall coming on for Simeon Jackson.

With the game almost lost a Dan Gray long ball saw a Martin Gritton flick on find Scott Boden who was clearly pulled back and his shot went over the bar.

FT 0-1

So we nip out of the playoff positions for the time being as results didn't go our way as they had in previous weeks. No question about our effort today but our failure to hit the target in the last three has brought repercussions without grabbing vital three points. With sides below having games in hand in doesn't now remain in our hands anymore which is a disappointment. Seconded to that the medical department having to work overtime and the reliance on young players have we left it too late? lets hope not and the weary lads can somehow muster up enough strength to gain two vital winsand expect favours from others again.

By Paul Fisher