Report by North Derbyshire Radio’s Ben Smith
Chesterfield made it back-to-back wins in all competitions on Saturday, seeing off Salford City 2-0 at the SMH Group Stadium.
Oliver Turton turned into his own goal to break the deadlock just past the hour before substitute Ronan Darcy rounded things off with a second late on.
The Spireites came into this game having suffered a heavy 6-2 loss at Colchester United in their last League Two outing, contrasting rather sharply to the 4-1 triumph recorded when Newport County visited North Derbyshire the weekend prior.
Paul Cook’s side were at least able to salvage some pride by beating Burton Albion 1-0 in the Vertu Trophy in midweek, and would hope to maintain similar defensive solidity as they returned to fourth-tier action here.
That aim possibly explained what played out as a largely cagey first 45, though the hosts did provide striker Lee Bonis with a pair of the clearer half-chances within that opening period.
With opportunities at a premium, it perhaps wasn’t a huge surprise that a set-piece provided the platform when the opening goal eventually came on 62 minutes.
Liam Mandeville’s deep corner delivery was met by a trademark towering header from home captain Chey Dunkley, one which Turton could only divert goalwards.
That did add an increased spark to the game and was pretty quickly followed by Salford’s standout chance of the match as Daniel Udoh burst clear on the break and forced Zach Hemming to get down sharply to tip the ball round his near post.
And having survived that scare the hosts would go on to double their advantage seven minutes from time, with Darcy remaining persistent to fire home after opposing stopper Mark Howard had denied his initial attempt.
Chesterfield will look to pick up a third win on the spin when they are back on home soil again next weekend to take on Fleetwood Town.
