Lacklustre Spireites Lose At Rotherham

Paul Cook was true to his word by starting with Jack Lester, has he replaced Mark Randall. After an impressive 2nd half display against AFC Wimbledon he decided to start with a 4-4-2 formation with Lester partnering Richards in attack.

Paul Cook ran across the pitch to thank the Spireite faithful of just over 2,300 for turning up to cheer on his team. Lester had an early shot on goal, which was comfortably saved by Warrington. The Millers then went straight on the attack, Nardiello skipped through the visitors defence before thumping his effort against the post. He came close to getting on the end of a lovely cross from Revell and then Noble hit his effort wide. The millers were definitely up for this encounter and the Spireites midfield were struggling to cope with them,

The Spireites were having to defend for their lives, Cooper managed to get a couple of blocks in, he also produced a lovely free-kick at the other end, which was met by Richards, he could only find the side-netting. Trotman managed to block an attempted cross from the dangerous Revell.

Lee pulled off a good save from Nardiello, after he was put through by Revell. Lester standing on the goal line managed to clear the danger from a corner.

H.T. 0-0

The Spireites rode their luck in the first-half and would need to improve if they were going to get anything out of this game. In the 58th minute the visitors were behind, Mullins scored with his head to give the home side a deserved lead.

Two minutes later Gnanduillet and Townsend come on for Lester and O'Shea.Armand's height was much needed and he beat the impressive Davis to a couple of headers. Richards hit an effort just wide of goal. Brindley came on for Whitaker, he went to right-back, meaning Talbot went on the wing. Lee had to be alert when Nardiello put in a dangerous ball. Frecklington managed to break forward, but his effort was saved by Lee.

The Spireites thought they had equalised when Gnaduillet headed a ball into the Path of the on rushing Togwell, who put it in the net. The linesman had already put his flag up, the Ivorian was adjudged to be offside. Gnanduillet came breathtakingly close in the dying seconds, but failed to direct Townsend's brilliant delivery on target. Talbot moments earlier saw his header go just wide of the target.

F.T. 1-0

A disappointing result for the Spireites, Rotherham deserved their win, Stand Up felt that Gnaduillet should have started along side Lester, he also felt the Spireites didn't get into the game until it was too late.

Cook talking to the official site said: 'We let our supporters down, but I'm being brought in to do a job and I think they trust me. You have got to have desire and pride. You can't turn up in a local derby and expect it to happen. I carry the can for us today, I am the leader of this group and we weren't good enough. I wish we hurt like the supporters. We have got some lads that feel the pain but we don't have enough by any stretch of the imagination."

You can't get more painful than losing a local derby, and hopefully they can come out for the next match more passionate and more determined to put things right. Things don't get any easier for the Spireites because Gillingham are their next Opponents at the Proact, they are currently the leaders of League 2.

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