ACE KABBY HELPS GET WEBB OFF TO A FLYER
TWO Kabongo Tshimanga penalties ensured Ches- terfield started life without James Rowe with a narrow victory over Dagenham & Redbridge at the Technique Stadium.
The Spireites officially parted company with their suspended manager this week, leaving Danny Webb in caretaker charge.
And top scorer Tshimanga gave him the perfect tonic and, with it reignited Chesterfield’s title charge after a difficult couple of weeks.
“I thought the performance showed all the things I asked of them,” Webb said.
“We did tactical work yesterday and looked at how would approach them. The biggest thing with these fans with the week of two that they’ve had is that we are all in the same direction. We want to win games at home, and we all want promotion.”
Dagenham proved a tough nut to crack and they came mighty to taking an early lead when Myles Weston’s cross came off the head of Fraser Kerr and looped over Scott Loach but the ball crashed off the crossbar and went out for a corner.
The opening 20 minutes failed to really produce much in the way of chances and play was stopped in the 25th minute as the Technique Stadium rose to their feet to pay tribute to former midfielder Jordan Sinnott two years after his sad passing.
As the game approached the half hour mark, it sparked into life – Will Wright’s delicately placed free-kick crashing off Loach’s upright.
Finally, with ten minutes of the half remaining, Josh Walker broke the deadlock for the Daggers after being put through and sliding the ball into the back of the net.
The Spirietes huffed and puffed for an equaliser and found it just before added time. Jeff King was brought down in the area, Tshimanga coolly slotted the ball home from the spot for his 22nd league goal of the season.
Jak McCourt, making his first start since November, fired two warning shots towards Elliot Justham’s goal early into the second period.
The hosts looked refreshed after the break and were awarded a chance to edge their noses in front after King was once more brought down in the area. Tshimanga yet again assumed responsibility and sent Justham the wrong way to put Chesterfield in front.
King looked to add to his impressive goal tally as of late but his free-kick drifted just wide and hit the stanchion behind the goal.
However, a third goal was not need as Webb continued his perfect start as caretaker manager with a second win in as many games after last week’s victory at Eastleigh.
Dagenham & Redbridge manager Daryl McMahon said: “I think we’ve played well for large parts of the game. I thought we were excellent in the first half.
“For the majority of the game we limited them to not very many chances. The two penalties are poor individual errors from us and we need to rectify them.” STAR MAN: Akwasi Asante (Chesterfield) ATT: 6,063
ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Robert Massey-Ellis