Edging closer to the play-offs; can Chesterfield hold their nerve?

With two games to go, League One newcomers Chesterfield sit in the final play-off spot and are five points clear of Rochdale, who are the only remaining team who can knock the Spireites off of their perch.

If Rochdale fail to beat both MK Dons and Barnsley in their final two games, then last year’s League Two champions will be in the 2014/15 League One play-offs, most likely playing MK Dons or Preston in the semi-final. But even if they hold their position for the remaining two games, do the Spireites have what it takes to reach the second tier for the first time since 1951?

Coincidently, local rivals Rotherham United have a similar story to tell, having recently done what Chesterfield fans dream of becoming a reality. The Millers claimed an automatic spot on the final day of the 2012/13 League Two season, and then defeated Leyton Orient on penalties in the League One play-off final the following season. History could be about to repeat itself… Or could it?

Although the two defensive records are similar, Rotherham scored plenty more goals (84, to be precise) and won 24 games, losing only 8, in comparison to 19 wins and 14 losses for the Spireites.

There is no need to be negative, however, as Chesterfield have played well against the top sides. During the season’s early stages, Paul Cook’s side fought back from 3-0 down to claim a 3-3 draw at Preston North End. They have also notoriously claimed three wins from three games at MK Dons’ stadium:mk, twice in the FA Cup but more importantly in the league, where they fought back from 1-0 down to grab a 90th minute winner.

Chesterfield came close to claiming a point at league leaders Bristol, as well. However, an injury-time winner sent them home with nothing. Looking back, out of all the best results claimed this season, the 3-2 victory over local rivals Sheffield United is what the fans will most enjoy remembering.

Other than for the pride of playing in English football’s second tier, one reason to want to exit League One so soon is so that the services of major players would remain at the Proact Stadium. Chesterfield announced a few weeks ago that midfielder Jimmy Ryan is in contract talks ahead of it’s expiry in the summer. Unfortunately, an agreement has still not been reached due to wage-related issues. Gaining promotion to the Championship would provide more money to spend on keeping key players such as Jimmy Ryan, Sam Morsy, Gary Roberts and Tommy Lee, and remaining in League One may result in the departure of such players to bigger clubs.

A sell-out crowd will hopefully witness a play-off spot cemented when the Spireites host confirmed champions Bristol City in what should be an entertaining spectacle, but a win won’t necessarily be needed as long as Rochdale fail to beat MK Dons. The question is: can they hold their nerve?

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