RAMPANT SPIREITES NOW ON THE BRINK

CHESTERFIELD recorded a club-record 28th league win of the season with an emphatic victory over AFC Fylde at the SMH Group Stadium.

Victory means that Paul Cook’s men are just eight points away from winning the National League title and, if results go their way, they can wrap it up in double quick time at Oldham Athletic on Saturday.

Armando Dobra put the Spireites in front in the first half before Mike Jones scored his first for the club and top scorer Will Grigg made it three.

Sub Danny Ormerod had a penalty saved by Harry Tyrer but then pulled a goal back for the Coasters, minutes later.

Ash Palmer rounded off the scoring to increase Chesterfield’s lead at the top to 20 points.

“It was a really good performance,” said assistant boss Danny Webb. “It was probably the happiest we’ve been in the office after a game, just because of the resolve after the poor performance at Dorking.

“Today’s a different feeling. Everyone’s in on Sunday and staying professional. But today is a credit to all of the players.”

The Spireites came out of the traps as the stronger team; Ollie Banks’ early run ended with a shot that whistled just wide of the post.

A minute later, Branden Horton’s floated cross was met by the head of Liam Mandeville, who headed the ball onto the roof of the net.

Banks and Fylde’s Nick Haughton both had efforts from the edge of the box that came close to opening the scoring – the latter’s shot was palmed away by Tyrer.

Then, just before the half hour, Chesterfield went in front. Ryheem Sheckleford won the ball back for the hosts in the middle of the pitch. Mandeville threaded the ball through to Dobra and the winger slotted his effort beyond Theo Richardson.

Fylde arguably had the better of proceedings up until the break but Horton almost added a second in added time with a lowdrive that went just past the post.

And on 55 minutes came a moment of celebration when a Mandeville corner was headed out as far as Jones, who rifled in his first goal since October 2020 – via a slight deflection.

Chesterfield soon added another as Mandeville’s floated cross was bundled in from a few yards by Grigg.

The Coasters, to their credit, kept plugging away and won a penalty on 66 minutes after Jones had but Ormerod saw his tame spotkick saved by Tyrer.

The young striker wasn’t fazed though and got his goal soon after; latching onto the ball and his deft chip found the back of the net.

But within two minutes, Paul Cook’s side restored their three-goal advantage when Mandeville’s corner was forced over the line at the second attempt by Palmer.