Chesterfield head to Meadow Lane on Friday night knowing they must overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit if they are to keep their promotion hopes alive and book a place in the League Two play-off final.
Paul Cook’s side were edged out in a tight contest at the SMH Group Stadium, but the Spireites will take confidence from both their recent form and their strong record away at Notts County over the past two seasons. Chesterfield have won on their last two League Two visits to Meadow Lane, including an entertaining 3-2 victory back in March, and they will believe another positive result is possible under the lights.
The visitors also finished the regular campaign strongly, going unbeaten in their final eight league matches before the first-leg defeat. Their away form has been particularly impressive, with Chesterfield unbeaten in their last five away games and avoiding defeat on the road against every other side that finished in the top seven.
Cook will be hoping his players can channel that confidence despite the club’s difficult recent history in the playoffs. The Spireites have lost each of their last five EFL play-off matches, while the Chesterfield boss is still searching for his first win in the playoffs after seven attempts as a manager.
Notts County, meanwhile, will start as favourites with both the aggregate lead and home advantage. However, their recent record at Meadow Lane has been inconsistent, with only two wins from their last six home League Two fixtures. One of those defeats came against Chesterfield earlier this year, which should offer encouragement to the travelling support.
The Magpies are also chasing a place in their first play-off final since the 1995-96 season and will be relying on the Meadow Lane atmosphere to help them over the line.
Team News
Chesterfield could once again be without key attacker Armando Dobra after he picked up an injury in the first leg. A late fitness test is expected, but the Albanian winger remains doubtful.
There is better news elsewhere for the Spireites, with no other fresh injury concerns reported. Much of the attacking responsibility is likely to fall on Lee Bonis, who has scored 12 league goals this season and will be central to Chesterfield’s hopes of a comeback.
Notts County remain without defender Lewis Macari, whose season-ending injury continues to keep him sidelined. Stuart Maynard may opt to stick with the same side that earned victory in the opening leg.
Possible Line-ups
Notts County: Belshaw; Ness, McDonald, Bedeau; Tsaroulla, Norburn, Robertson, Jones; Iorpenda, Luker; Jatta
Chesterfield: Boot; Curtis, Swinkels, McFadzean, Gordon; Braybrooke, Stirk; Markanday, Mandeville, Dickson; Bonis
