Cheltenham Town suffered a defeat here at Saltergate today despite a much better second half performance. The Robins just couldn't find a way to equalise but a lot of credit has to be given to John Sheridan and his team for their excellent first half display.
There are a few positives to take away from the Robin's second half performance but they will now have to look towards Burton Albion next week for the three points they crave.
Joss Labadie returned to the squad following his suspension last weekend and replaced Justin Richards. Hayles started out on the right with Theo Lewis lining up alongside Julian Alsop up front. Andy Gallinagh made his 100th appearance for Cheltenham Town alongside loanee Ashley Eastham in defence.
3: Chesterfield's Wade Small takes the first shot of the match following some miscommunication at the back but it deflects out for a corner.
7: The Spireites look very handy in attack and have caused the Robins a few early problems here.
13: Following a Chesterfield corner, Rob Page heads a shot in at goal which beats Scott Brown but not the head of the retreating Josh Low. Excellent defensive work by the 30-year-old and a get out of jail free card for the Robins.
16: Chesterfield are in control at this stage but Cheltenham are holding their own against some fluid attacking play. It's safe to say that Chesterfield's passing is letting them down right now.
20: Excellent defensive work by Dave Bird who halted the attacking run of David Perkins.
23: Good cross from the right courtesy of Ben Marshall but Crossley and Alsop meet eachother in a 50/50 collision to deny any goal threat for Cheltenham.
27: Chesterfield's passing play is excellent and they are almost swaggering around the pitch at the moment with huge confidence.
28: Clever play by Jack Lester whose good footwork allows him to release Perkins in the Cheltenham area but Theo Lewis steals the ball to deny the Spireites their best chance yet.
30: Ian Morris gives Scott Brown his first taste of action this afternoon with a decent shot from 12 yards out but the Cheltenham number one is equal to the strike.
34: It really is all Chesterfield. Kieran Djilali shows off some fancy footwork to release a left footed drive at goal but it's not great and ends up in the crowd behind the goal.
39: First real chance for the Robins. Barry Hayles is waltzing through the Chesterfield ranks and being urged to shoot by the away fans. He does shoot but it's poor and Chesterfield pick the play up again.
40: Chesterfield counter and the attack ends with a dangerous shot from Ian Morris but it glides past Scott Brown's near post.
42 GOAL: A series of corners are causing Cheltenham all kinds of problems and there are bodies diving everywhere to deny Chesterfield. However, with their third corner, Chesterfield open the scoring thanks to a tame header by Jack Lester.
45: Yet another corner threat for Cheltenham to contend with. The ball is looped in from the right and Ian Morris arrived at the far post but wastes the chance with a dismal header.
Half Time: Chesterfield 1-0 Robins
52: First chance of the second half goes to Chesterfield with Morris stampeding down the wing. Scott Brown rushes out to close the gap but soon has to retreat back to goal. Morris sends in a cross but Jack Lester's headered effort is poor.
52 SUBSTITUTIONS: Ben Marshall departs the field with Kyle Haynes replacing him. Julian Alsop also comes off with Schofield sending on Justin Richards.
53: Joss Labadie tries an ambitious shot from outside the area but it's no danger for Crossley and he comfortably saves it.
59: Positive football from Cheltenham. Richards tries a clever passing move with Josh Low in Chesterfield's area but the pass is to quick and Low can't pick it up in time. This is better from Cheltenham Town.
60 BOOKING: Joss Labadie picks up the first yellow card of the day following a clumsy challenge on Wade Small.
66: Schofield switches the positions of Theo Lewis and Barry Hayles in an effort to try and breakdown the Chesterfield defence.
69: Cheltenham are playing better but they can't seem to find that one pass they need to open the Spireites up.
70: Ian Morris has to recieve treatment following a big collision with Josh Low.
72: Cheltenham lose possession whilst attacking and Djilali takes advantage. He runs the towards the Cheltenham goal and releases an awful shot which floats high and wide.
75: Wade Small is on the march again towards Cheltenham's goal but he's being tailed by Andy Gallinagh and David Pipe. They do enough to put him off and his eventual shot is well wide of the goal.
78: Theo Lewis takes matters into his own hands and pushes forward to goal. He unleashes a superb shot but Crossley just gets his fingertips to it putting it out for a corner.
79 SUBSTITUTION: The Robins captain departs the field and his replacement is Elvis Hammond.
80 SUBSTITUTION: John Sheridan makes his first change with Scott Boden replacing Wade Small.
88 SUBSTITUTION: The goalscorer Jack Lester retreats to the bench in favour of Derek Niven.
90: Cheltenham are still pressing but they can't find an opening anywhere. John Sheridan should be proud of his team's display here today.
90+1: Scott Brown pulled off a superb save following a one on one with Boden.
90+2: Another chance for Chesterfield but Gallinagh defends well and shephards the ball and attacker away from goal.
Full Time: Chesterfield 1-0 Robins
Chesterfield (4-4-2): Crossley (GK); Little, Breckin (C), Page, Picken; Djilali, Allott, Perkins, Morris; Small (Boden 80), Lester (Niven 88)
Subs not used: Lee (GK), Gray, Austin, Downes, Lewis
Cheltenham (4-4-2): Brown (GK); Pipe, Gallinagh, Eastham, Low; Hayles, Bird (C) (Hammond 79), Labadie, Marshall (Haynes 52); Alsop (Richards 52), Lewis
Subs not used: Richardson (GK), Diallo, Watkins, Pook
Referee: O. Langford
Attendance: 3,145 (115 from Cheltenham)
Robins Star Man: Andy Gallinagh - He deserves a lot of praise on his 100th appearance for the Robins. He'll be disappointed with the result but he performed very well.
James Brown at Saltergate
