SPIREITES SUFFER LATE HEARTBREAK
MILETA Rajovic and Tom Dele-Bashiru spared Watford blushes as their goals helped to down Chesterfield – the winner coming deep in stoppage time.
Defeat was a cruel blow for the National League leaders, who deserved at least a replay against their Championship opponents.
Backed by just shy of 4,000 fans, Chesterfield went in front on 28 minutes through Joe Quigley, only for Rajovic to equalise for Watford 12 minutes from time.
But just when Paul Cook’s side looked like securing a a second crack at the Hornets on home soil, Dele-Bashiru popped up in the fifth minute of time added on to break the Spireites’ hearts.
Chesterfield assistant manager Danny Webb admitted the late defeat was hurtful but his focus quickly returned to his side getting back into the Football League for the first time since 2018.
“It’s a kick in the teeth but when we look at the other scores in the National League today, which is what our bread and butter is, getting out that division, they went for us,” Webb said.
“We’re six points clear at the top, we’ve had a cracking day out and we’ve taken a Championship side toe to toe. Their bit of quality came through at the end.
“The supporters will be a bit down and a bit gutted.
“When you come to these places, the notch goes up – there’s a bit more quality, they’re a bit fitter and quicker.
“I won’t say we outplayed Watford but we gave them a good game.”
Cook raised eyebrows
by leaving star men Will Grigg and Ryan Colclough on the bench and almost conceded inside five minutes when Yaser Asprilla intercepted a back-pass from Branden Horton but his effort was blocked by Ryheem Sheckleford.
Goalkeeper Ryan Boot was needed on 24 minutes when Ismael Kone found space to bear down on goal but saw his shot denied by the shotstopper.
The National League side then stunned their hosts three minutes later.
A cross from the byline by Sheckleford found the head of Quigley, who directed a simple header into the net.
It could have been even better for the visitors less than 40 seconds after the restart, when keeper Daniel Bachmann had to save from Ollie Banks, following a move involving Sheckleford.
After a triple substitution was made to change the fortunes of Watford, it was down to one of the replacements in Rajovic to finally unlock the Chesterfield backline.
His header from a cross by Asprilla on 76 minutes sent an audible sigh of relief around Vicarage Road.
Although Watford were by far the more energetic of the two sides, Chesterfield could have won with seven minutes remaining, when sub Colclough headed over from less than six yards out.
The game was settled deep into injury time when Dele-Bashiru struck low past Boot, to earn a scarcely-deserved victory.
Watford head coach Valerien Ismael was content with avoiding having to go to the SMH Group Stadium for a replay.
He said: “The main thing in the cup is always to come through, because nobody will talk about the actual game. We made the game complicated for ourselves and credit to Chesterfield, they played well with a nothing-to-lose mentality.
“We’ve overcome the challenge. I prefer to score in the last minute rather than have a rematch.” STAR MAN: Miguel Freckleton (Chesterfield) ATT: 15,932 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Gavin Ward