'A beautiful win in ugly conditions' - James Rowe delighted as Chesterfield dig deep to beat Solihull Moors

Tom Whelan’s first goal for the Spireites just before half-time was enough for all three points in snowy conditions at the Technique Stadium.

Town had to dig deep in the last 10 minutes when George Carline was shown a second yellow card and was sent off.

The Blues remain unbeaten under Rowe with five wins from six and five successive clean sheets.

Boss Rowe said: “I like to call that a beautiful win. It was an ugly win, in ugly conditions, but sometimes they are the best.

“I thought we showed a different side to us today and the win was fully deserved.

“Our play was good for 25 minutes of the first half. We didn’t want half-time to come, we were in the ascendency.

“The variety of play in the first half was very good and we showed commitment and steel in the second half.

“They started better than us, they got in a couple of times but other than that we controlled it.

“We had 13 shots to their two in the first half, we really dominated it, we should have scored more than one.

“The second half was a bit of a war and we overcame it.

“To have that energy and commitment after a 10-day break is outstanding.

“It is a pleasing win again and it is building blocks and I am delighted at the clean sheet again.”

On Whelan’s strike just before the break, Rowe said: “It is a really good finish. He knows where the goal is, he has turned and swivelled and put it in so I thought it was a really good finish and I thought that is what his efforts deserved.”

Carline, who was excellent all afternoon, picked up two yellows for soft challenges.

“I spoke to the referee at half-time because I thought there were a few harsh bookings,” Rowe added. “I said don’t go sending someone off for a second yellow when you can have a word and I thought it was one of those occasions where he could have had a word with him but I felt their players fell down easily to be honest.”