The Bradford striker, who eight years ago this month scored four for Stoke in a 5-1 thrashing of Chesterfield, headed in from Ben Starosta's right wing cross.

Barry Roche got a hand to it but was unable to keep the ball out.

By the end of the game, Lee Richardson's men had done enough to have grabbed at least a point but their end to the game was in contrast to their frail opening to the match.

Subs Adam Smith and Jamie Winter both had close calls at the end, as did the lively David Dowson who started the game alongside Steve Fletcher as not only did Jack Lester (broken nose) miss the game, but Jamie Ward's troublesome hamstring also ruled him out.

The manager also left out Peter Hartley. Lloyd Kerry took his place leading to a few positional shuffles along the way.

The first half atmosphere among the big crowd matched the early play, very quiet.

Aaron Downes headed wide and Thorne shot off target at the other end before City bagged the game's only goal.

Chesterfield, who often looked hesitant in defence, didn't manage a chance of note before the interval though Dowson was a handful for the home defence but nothing quite fell for him.

There were big shouts for a Chesterfield penalty early in the second half but they fell on deaf ears.

Dowson was whacked in the face by Mark Bower, he fell, but referee Colin Webster, who was close by, waved play on.

Smith came on for Jamie Lowry and he caused a few problems as Chesterfield began to dominate and when Brendan Moloney followed him into the action, on for Gregor Robertson, the visitors really stepped up the pace.

Dowson drilled in a near post shot that Scott Loach did well to beat away before, after 73 minutes, Smith had a golden opportunity to level things up.

Two consecutive left wing Kerry corners caused problems.

The second of which, an excellent ball in, found its way through to the far post where Smith was waiting.

Such was the speed of the ball, the sub had to rely on instinct and he stuck a leg out, made contact but watched in horror as the ball ballooned over the bar from no more than a yard.

Fletcher shot over after solid Dowson work before City almost nipped in.

Kerry and Janos Kovacs failed to communicate and both left the ball to the other, Downes was adjudged to have fouled in the immediate aftermath and he was cruelly booked.

Kyle Nix hit the wall with his free kick but the ball was then cleared.

Another gilt edged chance fell to Dowson, who left Starosta on the deck, but his left sided shot was saved by Loach.

Kerry put box edge shot just wide before Roche had to do his bit to keep the score down to one, blocking a Thorne effort from just outside the six.

Loach more than matched that save seconds later, hurling himself to his right to palm away a goal bound effort from Winter.