Notts County 0-1 Chesterfield (National League) 20.02.21
It was a disappointing day for Neal Ardley’s Magpies as they were beaten in the derby by a solitary goal during an unconvincing lacklustre display that really had not been on the cards following recent weeks.
The home side actually started brightest at Meadow Lane as Rodrigues struck an early effort off target before Chesterfield had a bright spell of their own with McCourt firing wide and Asante heading onto the roof of the net.
As the half wore on, the visitors pressed with more intent, looking the better side, like they were gunning for promotion and not fourteenth in the division, after twenty minutes or so Notts finally looked to be getting back into things as Elisha Sam got to the byeline to cut back with nobody waiting, shortly after the half hour though it was the Spirites who took a deserved lead when Gavin Gunning’s free kick, whipped in, evaded everybody to skid past Pilling in the County net.
As half time approached, Reeves tried his luck with a speculative effort from range as he looked to emulate the midweek winner at Kings Lynn without any joy, the best Notts could do in a half that was pretty miserable for the home side.
The second half didn’t get much better either. Chesterfield dealing with every half-hearted County threat, the away side value for their lead with Notts unable to seriously trouble Grant Smith in the Chesterfield net.
As Notts pushed forward a misplaced pass of their own sent Asante through on 81 but he fired wide of the goalkeepers near post and with six minutes remaining Maguire could have settled things shooting over the bar after a good run. The two best chances of the half both coming for Chesterfield, County slipping to defeat without really having a shot on target.
Just one of those days for Notts, who have been fantastic since the turn of the year, Chesterfield did their homework and played well whilst nothing clicked for Neal Ardley’s men.
A winning and unbeaten run ended, Notts fans will hope a minor blip as they look back to get on the winning saddle next time out against Stockport, which will be a difficult match in itself at Edgeley Park on Tuesday.
Notts County: Pilling, Rawlinson, Kelly-Evans, Doyle, Lacey, Miller (Effiong 87), Reeves, Wootton, Sam (Knowles 73), Boldewijn, Rodrigues.
Chesterfield: Smith, Gunning (Clarke 80), Hollis, Taylor, Maguire, Weston, Carline, McCourt, Evans, Asante (Yussuf 85), Dinanga (Mandeville 62).
Venue: Meadow Lane
*Main image @Official_NCFC story of the day as Ruben is crowded out by Spirites.