Coventry 2, Chesterfield 0: Spireites suffer seventh straight defeat after two late goals at the Ricoh

Two late Coventry goals condemned Chesterfield to a deeply troubling SEVENTH straight defeat last night.
Chesterfield's Ched Evans fires a shot on the Coventry goal. Pic: Howard Roe/AHPIX.comChesterfield's Ched Evans fires a shot on the Coventry goal. Pic: Howard Roe/AHPIX.com
Chesterfield's Ched Evans fires a shot on the Coventry goal. Pic: Howard Roe/AHPIX.com

To give the Spireites some credit, they competed well before Jordan Willis and Andy Rose struck in the final 20 minutes, but results are what counts and the pressure will surely grow on manager Danny Wilson.

The Spireites remain in second-bottom position in the table, four points adrift of potential safety.

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Wilson had made a couple of alterations to his starting line-up in the wake of the weekend’s agonising late single-goal defeat at Charlton.

Spireites keeper Ryan Fulton is beaten after the ball broke to Coventry's Jordan Willis. Pic: Howard Roe/AHPIX.comSpireites keeper Ryan Fulton is beaten after the ball broke to Coventry's Jordan Willis. Pic: Howard Roe/AHPIX.com
Spireites keeper Ryan Fulton is beaten after the ball broke to Coventry's Jordan Willis. Pic: Howard Roe/AHPIX.com

And those were forward-minded changes, with Kristian Dennis and Jay O’Shea earning recalls in place of more defensive pair Liam Graham and Dan Gardner.

In bitter cold temperatures it proved to be an entertaining first half at the Ricoh Arena, though neither side could find a breakthrough.

It was the Spireites who came closest midway through the opening period, however, as three great chances went begging. How Ched Evans, Gboly Ariyibi or Dennis didn’t score will remain a mystery as all three efforts were blocked just in front of the line.

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The Sky Blues impressed in the early stages, with Jodi Jones going close as he fired a free-kick narrowly over the top.

Danny Wilson. Pic: Howard Roe/AHPIX.comDanny Wilson. Pic: Howard Roe/AHPIX.com
Danny Wilson. Pic: Howard Roe/AHPIX.com

Burundi international midfielder Gael Bigirimana then threatened as he fizzed an effort just past the post after he had latched neatly on to Kyel Reid’s through-ball.

After the triple chance for the Spireites, defender Liam O’Neil fluffed a decent opportunity when he smashed a shot disappointingly wide from a promising position.

It had been an encouraging opening 45 minutes from Wilson’s battlers, and the visitors came agonisingly close shortly before the hour mark.

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O’Shea made a purposeful break, laid the ball neatly into the path of Evans, and the former Welsh international crashed a well-struck shot inches past the base of a post.

Spireites keeper Ryan Fulton is beaten after the ball broke to Coventry's Jordan Willis. Pic: Howard Roe/AHPIX.comSpireites keeper Ryan Fulton is beaten after the ball broke to Coventry's Jordan Willis. Pic: Howard Roe/AHPIX.com
Spireites keeper Ryan Fulton is beaten after the ball broke to Coventry's Jordan Willis. Pic: Howard Roe/AHPIX.com

The Spireites appeared to be gaining momentum as Dennis then saw an effort blocked. But at the other end, Spireites goalkeeper Ryan Fulton had to beat away Reid’s deflected shot.

It was the 69th minute when the hosts finally found a breakthrough and it was Willis who notched a scruffy goal, firing home from close range following a mini-goalmouth scramble.

Victory was secured when sub Rose neatly converted a Lewis Page cross with nine minutes to go.

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Page was sent off deep into stoppage-time after being shown a second yellow card, but the Sky Blues hung on comfortably.

Danny Wilson. Pic: Howard Roe/AHPIX.comDanny Wilson. Pic: Howard Roe/AHPIX.com
Danny Wilson. Pic: Howard Roe/AHPIX.com

the teams

Coventry (4-5-1): Burge; Willis, Turnbull, Page, Sterry; Bigirimana, Stevenson, Agyei (Sordell, 76), Jones (Lameiras, 67), Reid; Tudgay (Rose, 67).

Subs not used: Charles-Cook, Ricketts, Wright, Maycock.

Chesterfield (4-4-2): Fulton; Donohue, Hird, Evatt, O’Neil; Ariyibi, Liddle, Dimaio, O’Shea (Mitchell, 86); Evans, Dennis (German, 77).

Subs not used: Allinson, Nolan, Anderson, Maguire, Graham.

Referee: John Crooks (Melton Mowbray).

Att: 7,941

Star man: Jay O’Shea.