RESULT: BREWERS 2 SPIREITES 3
The Spireites came back from a 2-0 half-time deficit to win on their first ever visit to Burton Albion's tidy new Pirelli Stadium.
Chesterfield made just one change to the starting line up from the 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday. Jamie Lowry's blisters were again problematic and he stepped down with Derek Niven coming into the right midfield berth. Aaron Downes recovered from his thigh injury to take up a place on the bench alongside triallist Akwasi Oduro who showed up well in his brief time on the field against The Owls.
Wearing their new red away kit for the first time, Chesterfield had a decent following for the club's first visit to the year old Pirelli Stadium, just a stone's throw from Albion's old Eton Park ground.
Burton's big front man Greg Pearson almost gave his side a dream start. He shaped to shoot from 25 yards and rifled a rising shot that hit the inside of the post with Tommy Lee beaten, but the ball ricocheted to safety.
3rd min ALBION 1 SPIREITES 0
However with two minutes and ten seconds played The Brewers did take the lead. JODY BANIM tried his luck from outside the box and he went one better than his strike partner, beating Lee into the top corner.
The stocky Banim almost nipped in again, dribbling into the box but the presence of Page was just enough to put him off though Burton won a corner that was cleared by the visitors.
Jamie Ward got in Chesterfield's first shot, a delicate chip from the right edge of the box that forced Kevin Poole to dive full length to beat it away. Jack Lester just couldn't quite get onto the loose ball.
Ward received a long ball from Picken, controlled well and laid off for Lester but his shot flew wide of the mark as three defenders surrounded him.
Lester fed Niven on the right and his cross almost found Ward and Burton were happy enough to hack away for a corner. Darren Currie delivered deep for Lloyd Kerry to volley, his effort was blocked, fell to Lester who was again crowded out as he attempted to shoot.
23rd min ALBION 2 SPIREITES 0
Rob Page headed away after a diagonal run by Banim, Albion then got the ball back into the danger area, it looked no problem for Lee but he made a howler and the ball fell to KEITH GILROY to stab home from 15 yards.
There was a drinks break after the goal as the heat took its toll.
Paul Harsley had to block a shot from Gilroy following a fine Corbett cross into the danger zone then Phil Picken blocked a cross to concede a corner that was immediately followed by another that eventually led to an 18 yarder going just wide from Banim.
Goodall had to be strong to hold off Corbett as Chesterfield continued to look somewhat ragged, a far cry from their midweek showing.
Niven's cross field ball set Lester away down the left, he cut inside but couldn't find a way through. Ward was then fouled on the edge of the box, he took the kick himself, it hit the wall, bounced out for Kevin Austin who hammered wide from 20 plus yards.
Ward crossed after a breakaway but Jake Buxton headed away then Pearson hit the back wall behind the Chesterfield fans from long range. Niven crossed in but Ward was his only target and the ball didn't make it beyond the centre halves.
Page went off just before half time, with a hip injury. Aaron Downes came on.
HALF TIME: ALBION 2 SPIREITES 0
Darren Currie in the new red kit
Wade Fairhurst came on for Pearson at the break for the home side. He's a Doncaster player who could go on loan to The Brewers.
Gilroy stepped by Picken and delivered a cross that was unceremoniously booted out for a corner that Lee punched away.
Harsley tried a hopeful 35 yard shot, it wasn't too far away but never looked like troubling Kevin Poole in goal.
51 mins ALBION 2 SPIREITES 1
A beautiful through ball from Lester found JAMIE WARD who calmly slotted the ball low beyond Poole to give The Spireites some hope.
57 mins ALBION 2 SPIREITES 2
Niven's cross teased out a corner, Currie delivered a deep one, Niven put the ball back into the middle, Kerry's shot seemed to hit JACK LESTER who reacted quickly to stab through a crowded six yard box.
Kerry hit a low shot wide of the far post after good build up play by Niven and Lester as Chesterfield at last began to look like the higher level side.
Marc Edworthy came on for John Brayford then Akwasi Oduro replaced Harsley, Niven moved central, Currie switched to the right and the sub went to left midfield.
Currie played Lester in, he turned and crossed but didn't manage to find a colleague to end what had been a promising move.
Another drinks break preceded three Burton changes whilst Danny Hall came on for Picken. He went central with Downes moving to right back.
77 mins ALBION 2 SPIREITES 3
Oduro made an impact on the game. A surging run down the left with Edworthy chasing ended with the full-back fouling him, a penalty was awarded and JAMIE WARD stepped up to fire Chesterfield ahead.
Two more Albion subs, Marc Goodfellow and Ryan Austin on before Albion won a left sided free kick that was cleared quickly and almost fell for a rapidly advancing Goodall but he just couldn't quite deliver a shot.
Shaun Harrad's diving header came close, a corner resulted which saw a powerful shot from Webster blocked and Albion soon won another flag kick after a burst through by Goodfellow. Hall volleyed a Goodfellow pass out for another corner as Albion pressed, Austin cleared.
Goodfellow was awarded a foul after being the meat in a Downes-Hall sandwich but the defence was solid and cleared the danger.
Burton: Poole, Brayford (Edworthy 63), James (R.Austin 79), Buxton, Bailey, Corbett (Goodfellow 79), Simpson, McGrath (Holmes 73), Gilroy (Webster 73), Banim (Harrad 73), Pearson (Fairhurst 46). Sub (not used): Deeney
Chesterfield: Lee, Picken (Hall 73), Page (Downes 45), K.Austin, Goodall, Niven, Kerry, Harsley (Oduro 66), Currie, Lester, Ward. Subs (not used): Whatsize, Winter, Algar, Boden, Gray, Robertson
Referee: Mr Steve Bratt (Walsall)Attendance: 797
Report: Phil Tooley
