Report by North Derbyshire Radio’s Ben Smith.

Chesterfield squandered an opportunity to avenge last season’s League Two play-off semi-final defeat to Walsall, giving up the lead to draw 2-2 in Saturday’s rematch.

Will Grigg and Dilan Markanday both struck inside the opening 20 minutes at the SMH Group Stadium, only for Daniel Kanu and Albert Adomah to later wipe out the home side’s two-goal advantage.

The Spireites returned to home soil after two games out on the road, with a shock 2-1 defeat to then-bottom Newport County followed up by a last-gasp 1-0 victory at Salford City, secured via an own goal.

Paul Cook’s side would be hoping that slice of luck in midweek continued into an upturn in fortunes against this particular opponent, with Walsall emerging victorious from all four of the meetings that took place between these two in 2025.

Indeed, it was the hosts who struck first as acquaintances were renewed in 2026, with Grigg pretty quickly vindicating the decision to restore him to the starting XI by opening the scoring inside 13 minutes.

Less than ten minutes later that advantage would be doubled, with Markanday dispossessing Evan Weir before keeping his cool to roll past opposing stopper Myles Roberts.

But just as it looked like the Blues were edging towards a dream first half they briefly allowed their intensity to drop, providing Kanu the time and space to place a powerful header high into the goal to reduce the deficit.

That gave the visitors something to work with heading into the interval, which boss Mat Sadler used to introduce Adomah in place of Jamille Matt.

With the hour mark approaching that would look to be another inspired move, as the veteran attacker got loose from a set-piece to flick home the equaliser.

Despite the best efforts of both sides that would prove to be the last of the goalscoring action, meaning a rollercoaster affair would ultimately end in a point apiece.

Having been forced to settle for a draw here Chesterfield will look to get straight back to winning ways at Bristol Rovers next weekend, before returning home to face strugglers Harrogate Town on February 14.