, Chesterfield seal play-off place despite loss

Chesterfield seal play-off place despite loss

Chesterfield fans can relax before the final weekend of the season, after Rochdale’s 3-2 defeat at home to MK Dons made sure that the Spireites could not finish below 6th place in League One, although they  lost 2-0 at the hands of champions Bristol City.

The league champions were treated to a guard of honour as they took to the pitch in the penultimate game of the League One season.

The electric atmosphere in the build-up to kick-off continued to ring around the Proact Stadium, and the fans were treated to a well-contested game of football between two sides who saw the best of each other in the reverse fixture at Ashton Gate, which ended in a late 3-2 victory for the Robins.

In what turned out to be a fierce game, Jimmy Ryan had a begging opportunity to put the hosts ahead after O’Shea stole the ball and played the midfielder through, but he was denied by the legs of of Frank Fielding.

Down the other end, Tommy Lee had to make an outstanding low save to prevent Joe Bryan from taking the lead for Bristol.

Bristol were the dominant side in the first half, and took the lead through Kieran Agard, who was given the ball by Jay Emmanuel-Thomas to slot past ‘keeper Lee.

The Spireites did not lie down, however, and almost levelled instantly but Jay O’Shea’s header was not enough to get past Fielding, who caught the ball well after the Irishman tried to direct Gardner’s cross home.

Chesterfield began to gain a foothold in the match after the second half commenced. Roberts, with some impressive footwork, found Clucas who was unfortunately unable to take the right touch, and Fielding saved his effort.

The Robins were soon 2-0 ahead, when high-scoring defender Adam Flint headed home a corner, which was ever so close to being punched away by the Spireites’ number one.

Roberts almost halved the deficit through a wonderfully-crafted free-kick, but his effort came crashing off the woodwork and the hosts remained two goals behind.

Bristol held their lead, and deservedly won the game after playing like the champions that they are. Despite the loss, Chesterfield fans were able to celebrate when the man behind the microphone announced that Rochdale had lost to MK Dons at Spotland, meaning that Paul Cook’s side will compete in this season’s League One play-offs.

No Chesterfield fan thought this achievement was possible at the start of the season, but the Spireites have deserved their spot and a chance to reach the second tier of English football.

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