Chesterfield 0 Peterborough 1: Spireites lose to 9-man Posh

Chesterfield threw everything they had against nine-man Peterborough United but they just couldn't find a way through the resolute Posh rear-guard.
Peterbrough's winner from Tom Nichols. Pic By James WilliamsonPeterbrough's winner from Tom Nichols. Pic By James Williamson
Peterbrough's winner from Tom Nichols. Pic By James Williamson

The visitors nicked a 55th minute lead when debut maker Tom Nichols bundled in from close range as the ball swirled in the wind from a left-wing corner, Spireites were sure keeper Tommy Lee was fouled in the melee.

Peterborough United had come closest to scoring in the first half when Shaquile Coulthirst rattled the bar but Chesterfield were the more attack-minded side throughout.

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Michael Smith was the first man to go for a second yellow, hauling Jay O’Shea down right on the edge of the box and he was followed by Ricardo Almeida-Santos who fouled sub Rai Simons. From that 78th minute right through the seven additional minutes, Chesterfield camped in the final third but Posh put bodies on the line as shots flew in, though Lee did have to make a cracking save to deny a wind assisted launch from Posh keeper Ben Alnwick in a rare visit for the ball to Chesterfield territory.

Danny Wilson will be frustrated that pressure didn’t mean goals but give Graham Westley’s men credit, they defended as though their lives depended on it so it meant a 17th league defeat for the Spireites,

Chesterfield: Lee, O’Neil, Anderson, Hird, Donohue, Talbot (Ariyibi 70), Herd, Liddle, O’Shea (Gardner 79), Novak, Ebanks-Blake (Simons HT). Subs: Chapman, Maguire, Banks, Dimaio.

Peterborough: Alnwick, Smith, Almeida-Santos, Bostwick, Toffolo, Forrester, Taylor, Oztumer (Beautyman 60), Nichols (Zakuani 79), Angol (Samuelsen 60), Coulthirst. Subs: Henry, Fox, Nabi, Coulibaly.

Goal: Nichols 55

Ref: David Coote (Notts)

Bookings: Herd, O’Neil, Novak (Chesterfield), Smith, Forrester, Almeida-Santos, Toffolo (Peterborough)

Sent-Off: Smith, Almeid-Santos (Two yellows)

Attendance: 6,544 (707 from Peterborough)