ALLEN SEES POSITIVES AS WOEFUL RUN ENDS

CHESTERFIELD’s players slumped to their knees in frustration as the final 30 seconds summed up their current ill-fortune.

With Dover having just been reduced to ten men through the soft dismissal of midfielder Aryan Tajbakhsh, defender Bradley Barry leapt brilliantly to head against Mitch Walker’s post.

The ball rebounded conveniently to midfielder Curtis Weston whose instant shot smashed against the bar.

Some home fans, who had jeered their side’s first half display, cheered them off at the end, confirming manager Martin Allen’s view that the tide must turn soon.

Spireites have now played 490 minutes without a goal, although a first point ,after six successive defeats was some consolation.

Dover defended doggedly to get a vital point although Tim Schmoll’s early header was virtually their only chance all afternoon.

Allen said: “That was a step forward with a clean sheet – and a good performance especially in the second half.

“Our lads gave everything. I think everyone can see this will turn for us.

“This isn’t a time to hit players with a stick. My job is to help them.”

Defender Schmoll could have added to Chesterfield’s problems when he rose unchallenged to nod Mitch Brundle’s 12th minute cross wide of the target.

But, that miss apart, it was one-way traffic. Schmoll and Walker combined to keep out Weston from close range on 25 minutes before Jerome Binnom-Williams drove powerfully over the bar. Allen’s introduction of Zavon Hines at half-time raised Chesterfield’s tempo and he pulled the ball back for Joe Rowley to shoot wide. Then Walker flung himself to his right to keep out another Rowley blast just before the hour. Chesterfield’s momentum was stalled after another unscheduled drinks break but they continued to huff and puff against a hard-working Dover back five. Chris Kinnear’s side scarcely put a passing movement together but their resolve and concentration was never in question. Tajbakhsh’s dismissal for a second yellow at the beginning of added time prompted one last Chesterfield assault that left Dover touching wood – not once, but twice. Dover’s struggles may continue longer although Kinnear was understandably delighted with a second straight draw. “Our effort in the last two games has been brilliant,” he said. “After the silly sending off, Chesterfield threw everything at us but before that Mitch Walker’s only had a couple of saves to make. A clean sheet away from home will give us confidence.”