'Best we have played' - James Rowe hails Chesterfield's late win against Eastleigh

Akwasi Asante scored the winner five minutes from time to give Town a deserved three points against in-form opposition at the Technique Stadium on Tuesday night.

The Spireites are now five points off the play-offs with games in hand.

“It really is the most complete performance as a coach I have had,” Rowe said.

“The most satisfying thing is that we have come back from adversity. We bounced back straight away and made sure it was not back-to-back losses.

“We were never in danger of losing it, it was just a case of whether it would come, it did and it was a delightful feeling.

“It was great to bounce back from the disappointment from Saturday.

“We controlled the game, I do not think they have had a shot tonight.

“The only slight on the performance was the final bit but I have got to be happy, it was a fantastic performance.

“I thought we looked fitter, stronger and played at a high tempo than the opposition all night.

“The counter press was excellent, probably the best we have played since I have been here.

“You think that when the clock is ticking down, and to be fair they came into it at the end with a few set-plays, you are thinking ‘is it going to be one of those nights?"

Rowe made five changes from the defeat to Stockport County last Saturday, with new signing Fraser Kerr coming in, while Martin Smith and Jack Clarke made their first starts.

The Town boss said the decision not to include Haydn Hollis, Joel Taylor and Adi Yussuf was ‘tactical’.

“We made five changes tonight and there is going to be more on Saturday,” he added.

“Coming out of the isolation period, our third one, I thought we looked a bit leggy at Stockport, even though we controlled large parts and minimum should have come away with a point.

“The players that came on in Jak (McCourt), Nathan (Tyson) and Liam (Mandeville), their attitudes were spot on and it shows that we are growing something and all special squads rotate, not matter what level."