Mansfield Town 0 Chesterfield 1
Chesterfield put last weeks disappointing cup exit behind them by taking all three points at Field Mill. A second half Adam Smith strike helped Chesterfield overcome their local rivals in a physical and scrappy match, that now see the Spireites bunny hop over Mansfield in the League.
Chesterfield started the game brightly but faced an early scare when a deflected shot off Captain Richie Holmes tested the quick reactions of Matthew Malak in the goal.
It took 15 minutes of play to produce the first real shot of the game. With Chesterfield piling the pressure on the Stags back four, it was striker Jordan Bowery who found the space to make an effort on goal, unfortunately his shot went wide of the post.
Minutes later, Chesterfield found another way through the home sides defence. Craig Clay played midfield partner Tendayi Darikwa through, whose turn beat the Stags defence but his shot forced the Mansfield number one to produce a save with his leg.
The Spireites were now showing a willingness to attack more as the half went on, which was leaving the Stags more and more vulnerable.
Darikwa was again involved in another Chesterfield attack. The attacking midfielder pounced on a Mansfield mistake but his effort didn't trouble the goalkeeper.
Despite Chesterfield being in control and maintaining most of the possession, they were almost caught out just before the half time whistle. Centre back Sandy Moller's poor back pass found its way to one of the Mansfield strikers, but the quick feet of Sam Clare intercepted with a perfectly timed tackle.
As the half time whistle blew, Mansfield retreated to the comfort of the changing room, but Dave Bentley had other ideas for his side. A 'Phil Brown style' team talk in the middle of the pitch from Bentley certainly did the trick, as the Spireites came out all guns blazing in the second period.
12 minutes into the second half saw a moment of madness from the Mansfield centre back. After a ball was pumped forward by Clay, the ball seemed too long for the on running legs of Adam Smith, but a poor pass back from the head of the Stags defender beat his own goalkeeper, with Smith using his speed and strength to simply collect the ball and put it in an empty net.
Neither team really looked like scoring after the goal, with Chesterfield defending well at the back. Both teams knew it would be more about the result than the performance and it was the Spireites who managed to come away with the victory.
Chesterfield (4-4-2) : Malak, Tingay, Holmes, Moller, Clare, Clay, S.Smith, Adcock, Darikwa, A.Smith, Bowery
Unused Subs: Granger, Needham, Webb, Watkis
