Player ratings: Defender dominant, striker surprises but too many passengers cost the Spireites

When you lose a game so significant in the battle to avoid the drop, it’s no time to be delighted with your own performance.

Even Kristian Dennis looked sheepish when asked to talk members of the press through his goal, the striker going on to say it doesn’t matter if he plays or not, as long as the Spireites stay up.

But amid the doom and gloom there were a couple of contributions worthy of praise on Saturday.

Here’s our Chesterfield player ratings...

Thorsten Stuckmann - 6 - It was all going so well. The big German had a fine debut, making a couple of good stops and getting down brilliantly to keep out a penalty. But disaster struck when he took a heavy touch, gifting Bury a winner and marring his performance.

Osman Kakay - 4 - The youngster really struggled both in and out of possession. Lost the ball too many times and on at least one occasion was seen jogging back as others sprinted to cover for his mistake. Poor touch led to a second half booking as Greg Leigh gave him real trouble down the flank.

Dan Jones - 5 - Was unable to provide much of an outlet down the left and was unable to positively impact the game in the second half.

Tom Anderson - 6 - Commitment is never the issue with the centre-half. Had a solid game, put his head in harm’s way yet again and one lapse cost him and the team. Losing his bearings in the box led to a clumsy challenge, a penalty and a harsh red card.

Sam Hird - 6 - A solid display from Hird, even when shifted from centre-half to a position between defence and midfield. Made some vital interventions. It was, however, his rushed back pass that put Stuckmann under pressure for the winner.

Ian Evatt - 7 - A captain’s display from the big man. Won his personal battles, kept Tom Pope quiet, led by example. Unlucky to be on the losing side.

Liam Grimshaw - 5 - Missed a glorious chance to win the game when Chesterfield were already 1-0 up. Anonymous for most of the second half, failed to get a grip on the game.

Dan Gardner - 5 - Lost too many 50:50 challenges, gave the ball away a number of times and alongside Grimshaw, struggled to wrestle control of the game back from Bury after the break.

Kristian Dennis - 6 - Put in his usual hard running performance, capped it with a goal that was all about persistence and hunger, albeit not his cleanest of finishes. Couldn’t affect game as it went on however.

David Faupala - 5 - Made a couple of bad decisions in possession that squandered good positions for Town. Lacked composure. Another second half passenger.

Sylvan Ebanks-Blake - 6 - The surprise package. Had an excellent first half, provided a sublime assist. Fitness and lack of match practise saw him fade after the break.