Notts County 1 Chesterfield 5

Chesterfield overcome their recent poor form to demolish local rivals Notts County in a heated six goal affair. Despite the home side taking the lead early in the first half from yet another set piece error, the Spireites came back with a vengeance with a brace from both Jordan Burrow and Ben Watkis, alongside a late Tendayi Darikwa goal.

Despite exiting yet another cup competition in disappointing fashion last weekend, Dave Bentley kept faith with the same starting eleven as Sandy Moller remained out of the squad with ongoing treatment caused during the clash against Burton Albion three weeks previous.

It was Chesterfield that looked the liveliest in the opening minutes as Jordan Burrow came close to breaking the deadlock after just two minutes when his crouched header sailed just past the post. From then on it was an old school studded affair of two rival clubs battling for pride. Chesterfield were let off the hook moments later as goalkeeper Scott Webb held comfortably from a 3 v 1 Magpie counter attack.

Burrow was again causing problems for the home side as the striker latched onto another smooth Spireite attack with his head, but again failed to make it count as the well engineered training ground set piece fell short of the target.

However, this positive start from the Blues counted for very little as another defensive error cost Bentley's side an early goal. County's deep swinging corner on 25 minutes found its way in to the back of the Chesterfield goal through the help of Webb's uncertainty and some poor defending.

This lead could have been doubled moments later as Webb again failed to make decent contact on a crossed ball, resulting in an open goal situation, but fortunately for the Spireites, the black and white shirted striker sliced wide wasting a golden opportunity to increase his sides' lead.

Chesterfield seemed to be left unfazed as retaliation was soon on the cards. Jimmy Adcock came close with a right footed effort before Tendayi Darikwa latched onto a Burrow flick but couldn't find a way past the County number one, with Watkis' follow up also being blocked courageously.

Adcock had another chance on the half hour mark as the speedy winger graced past a County defender before dragging the ball across both the goalkeeper and the far post.

Chesterfield were finally rewarded for their persistence shortly after when Ryan Granger's testing ball caused confusion between defender and goalkeeper, as Watkis took full advantage and calmly chipped the perplexed keeper to level the game.

The equaliser was no more than what the Spireites deserved and a minute later could have been in the lead as a valiant Burrow once again out leaped the Magpie defence to force an excellent save from County's number one.

Just six minutes into the restart and the Spireites turned defence into attack. Craig Clay's headed clearance off a Nott's corner soon set up Sam Smith, who used his effortless pace via a quick one-two with Adcock, to press the remaining County defenders. With a clear opening on goal, Smith showed his dedication to the team and squared up Watkis for the easiest of tap ins.

The attacking midfielder almost completed his hat trick minutes later after Chris Tingay's long throw was flicked onto the number ten, with Watkis' header being pushed on to the post and wide for a corner.

With the percentage of the match now being played deep in the County half, it was no surprise when the Spireites added another goal to the game. Burrow found himself on the end of a looping ball after County failed to clear convincingly from a corner, gifting the striker to score his 12th goal of the season and Chesterfield's third of the match.

As Bentley's side were now happily in the driving seat, the match began to turn ugly as County's frustration was clearly showing throughout the team as unnecessary fouls began to occur more frequently until the game boiled over with just 15 minutes remaining. A late tackle on Sam Clare resulted in full match brawl that was soon resolved with Clare receiving a booking for his troubles.

County's heads had gone by this stage, leaving the Spireites in desperate need of extra bragging rights.
After Adcock's slip prevented Darikwa from receiving the ball to feet, the forward was rewarded for his determination to win the ball back with a deflected shot that beat the goalkeeper on 80 minutes.

It appeared that the home side's day couldn't get any worse, but Burrow begged to differ with just minutes remaining. Smith's perfectly executed first time cross picked out Burrow who hardly had to do much to ensure the ball went past the hopeless keeper to round off a superb Chesterfield performance.

Chesterfield (4-4-2): Webb, Granger, Tingay, Clare, Needham, Clay, Adcock, Smith, Watkis, Darikwa, Burrow

Subs Not Used: Palmer, Wright, West, Waddle, Edridge

Goals: Watkis 36, 51, Burrow 56, 86, Darikwa 80

Booked: Clare