Chesterfield lost for the first time in the league since Boxing Day after Scott Boden's own goal gave Harrogate Town a 1-0 win at the Proact.
John Sheridan was forced into making one change to the team that escaped with that narrow win over AFC Fylde last week. Laurence Maguire made his first appearance since November in place of the injured Will Evans.
Charlie Carter was also included in the match day squad for the first time since September, but he could only make the bench.
The first chance fell to the visitors. Former Spireite Lloyd Kerry flashed an effort towards goal that was palmed away by Shwan Jalal.
It would be from the resulting corner that Harrogate took the lead, as the short corner allowed George Thomson to fire in a cross that was eventually taken past Jalal following a big deflection off Boden.
The Yellows continued to pile on the pressure and almost doubled their lead on the half hour mark.
Thomson continued to cause chaos and after receiving the all off Jack Emmett, unleashed an effort that deflected off Haydn Hollis and wide of the goal.
With the half drawing to a close, the Spireites finally carved out a meaningful chance.
Harrogate cleared a corner straight to Lee Shaw, but powerful volley from outside the box rose over the crossbar.
Like the first half, the home side lacked concentration for the early moments of the second period.
Kerry was allowed through on goal following a defensive mistake, but the Chesterfield-born midfielder pulled his shot well wide of the goal.
Sheridan took action not too long after and made a couple of changes. Tom Denton was brought on for Marc-Antoine Fortune and the returning Carter replaced Curtis Weston.
The young, energetic midfielder was immediately looking to wreak havoc. He latched onto the end of an Ellis Chapman cross, but his header drifted wide.
With 15 minutes of the game left, the Spireites almost levelled the scores. Jerome Binnom-Williams clipped a cross into Boden, however James Belshaw made a last stitch tackle before the striker could round the keeper and tap home.
Carter went agonisingly close before Denton almost saved the day with a last-minute equaliser.
Binnom-Williams provided another excellent cross which the big striker header back across goal, but the effort cannoned of the foot of the post.
The loss is Chesterfield's first since Martin Allen's last game as manager. The Spireites stay in 19th with a good chance to move up the table with a win against Barnet on Tuesday.
On the other hand, Harrogate move back into the play-off spots with the win and they have kept their first clean sheet since October.
Post-Match Verdict | Off the pace
I don't know what it was, but there just wasn't the same energy as there was against AFC Fylde last week.
Carter, Denton and Binnom-Williams all improved the team once they came on, but the goals still eluded Sheridan and co.
However, the Spireites have a chance to write a few wrongs and climb further up the table on Tuesday against Barnet at The Hive.
After they went to extra time and penalties against Fylde in the FA Trophy, it could e an excellent chance to profit off a tired Barnet.
Comments