The worrying statistic is that four of them have been scored by defenders from set-pieces.

Most distressing about Mike Williamson's fourth-minute header for Wycombe was that he didn't have to extend himself to bag his first goal for eighteen months.

Tommy Doherty, fouled 30 yards out by Paul Harsley, took the free-kick himself and popped it right on the head of the lumbering stopper who was totally un-marshalled at the far post.

Williamson powered his effort on to the underside of the bar, beyond keeper Trevor Carson who looked bemused at the lack of action by his colleagues.

Stunned silence on the Kop but they didn't turn their ire on the manager, as happened in similar circumstances in the previous home game against Bury. Indeed the frustrated followers, after a few minutes to take-in the disappointment, put in a performance worthy of a side that have achieved that much sought after cliché of turning their ground into a fortress.

Saltergate is anything but that. Over the last five years only 35 per cent of home league games have been won by Spireites, a gauge that's indicative of why the success-starved locals get frustrated so often.

Lee Richardson acknowledged the part played by the fans. "The most encouraging thing was the support we received," he said.

"They recognised that we needed help and they gave it to us. I couldn't fault them, they performed for 90 minutes.

"No-one could have any complaints with their performance, we just didn't quite perform for them and for that we're sorry on a day that they and the team deserved better than a defeat."

Striker Jack Lester wasn't considered for a start, his thigh injury will have healed sufficiently for him to play against Grimsby on Wednesday. Skipper Rob Page was absent too, on compassionate leave due to the serious illness of a family member; Danny Hall came in for his Spireites debut.

Richardson added: "We're all disappointed with another defeat. The manner of it was more encouraging than the last home game but it still doesn't feel any better.

"Again a team has come here and not had to do much to get a victory. I don't think there can be much dispute that we were the team that had most possession, most shots on goal, all of the things that don't really count.

"We can't afford to keep gifting opposition starts, leads and opportunities to defend in numbers so we have to try and find a way through. But credit to the players and the supporters. We had the chances, not great chances, but one or two that we could have taken and ultimately we're all disappointed."

Kevin Austin had the best chance to level but he planted his header wide when a goal looked odds-on.

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