Burton Albion 3 Chesterfield 4

Chesterfield's young guns travelled to the Pirelli Stadium for their first round Midland Cup clash against Burton Albion. Despite the Brewers being on the receiving end of a 7-0 thrashing at the weekend, Dave Bentley knew that a place in the second round against either Chasetown or Shrewsbury - the side that defeated the Spireites in last season's semi-final - wasn't guaranteed.

Bentley was again short on numbers heading into the match, but was boosted with the return of second year Jake Handbury, who had not played any competitive football this season. Gerome Palmer and Ellis Wall made way for duo Toby Dipper and Josh Wright to complete the starting 11, along with under 16's midfielder Joshua Scully, who started for the second consecutive match.

Youth Team warming up at the Pirelli Stadium.

Despite the home advantage it was the Spireites that were soon on top of things and came close to opening the scoring when Watkis instinctively caught on to a loose ball, but his left footed effort was scuffed wide of the target.

Again it was another loose ball that set up Chesterfield for another sighting on goal. After a neat one-two with winger Jack Waddle, Jacob Hazel used his pace to beat centre half Slyvannus Bockarie, but couldn't test Jamie Wheatley in the goal as the goalkeeper watched Hazel's effort go wide.

This build-up of Spireite pressure finally paid off on 19 minutes as Watkis capitalised on a goalkeeping error to give Chesterfield the lead. Waddle's in-swinging corner was met by Wheatley, but the young goalkeeper could only hold for a second before Watkis pounced and slid the ball into the open goal.

Chesterfield turned defence into attack, when Captain Matt Needham halted a Brewer attack before Watkis played striker Jordan Burrow through on goal. Burrow beat the offside track, but couldn't beat Wheatley who stood up well to the shot.

The match was a physical encounter and the visitors were forced into an early change on 26 minutes with Dominic Allen replacing Bradley Munn.

Josh Wright and Hazel were making things difficult for the home side and had chances on goal in close concession, but both lacked serious danger.

The Brewers first attack on goal, just after the half hour mark, proved to cost the Spireites their early lead. A routine pass between Dipper and Needham ended in disastrous fashion as a sloppy touch from the Captain left Gregory Halford the chance to level the match up and he didn't decline the offer.

This didn't last long as Burrow peeled away from his defender was put the Spireites back into the lead after Watkis' through ball tied up the Chesterfield number nine to take his chance first time.

Sam West was penalised for holding onto the ball for longer than the allowed time, resulting in the home side punishing Chesterfield with a superb free kick on the stroke of half time.

Half Time: Burton Albion 2 - 2 Chesterfield

It was the Brewers that carried that momentum into the second half with a few early chances, substitute Allen came closet with a distanced shot that went just went over West's bar.

Despite this, Chesterfield continued to press as Watkis and Wright again had efforts on goal, although Wright was oblivious to the opportunity as the ball struck him and beat the goalkeeper, but also the goal.

As the match began to turn into a scrappy affair, the Spireites managed to take the lead for the third time. Scully's visionary pass picked out Hazel who struck the ball past the helpless Wheatley.

Hazel scores the Spireites' third goal.

It wasn't long before the score was level…again. Benn Minshull's neat one-two beat a static Spireite defence to easily roll the ball past West to set up a tense final 20 minutes.

With tackles flying in thick and fast, some of the referee's decisions started to affect the match as the yellow cards were beginning to add up more than the goals.

But Chesterfield held their nerve and with just eight minutes left took the lead for the fourth and final time in the match. Waddle's cross picked out Wright, who beat his defender and the goalkeeper to the ball to secure a second round place for the Spireites.

Wright putting Chesterfield into the second round.

Chesterfield (4-4-2): West, Hibbert (Handbury 64), Johnson, Scully (Wall 64), Dipper, Needham, Wright, Watkis, Burrow, Hazel (McKenzie), Waddle

Subs Not Used: Palmer

Goals: Watkis 19, Burrow 39, Hazel 63, Wright 82

Booked: Burrow, Waddle, Wall, Watkis