Joel Randall to the rescue as Chesterfield pip Yeovil Town in seven-goal FA Cup thriller

Super sub Joel Randall popped up with a late winner to win a seven-goal thriller against Yeovil Town and put Chesterfield into the second round of the FA Cup.

Leading 3-1 with 12 minutes to go with a brace from Jack Simpson - his first two goals for the club - and Josh Koroma’s fifth goal of the season, the Spireites looked to be home and hosed.

But two quickfire replies from the otherwise out-played non-leaguers looked like forcing extra time until Bolton Wanderers loan man Randall had the final say to make it 4-3.

Chesterfield made all the running and played some lovely stuff for the most part against the National League opponents.

Lee Bonis really should have scored after being set free by a lovely ball from Remeao Hutton, Alfie Pond’s header struck the legs of the keeper and Lewis Gordon’s cross-cum shot just drifted wide of the far post.

The chances continued to come as Yeovil clung on.

Louie Marsh’s clip was kept out by the finger tips of Jos Barker and then Hutton side-footed over from Lewis Gordon’s pull-back.

The visitors had hardly been out of their own half before scoring from their first attack seven minutes before half time.

Johl Powell seemed to be pulled down by Simpson close to the byline and Slavi Spasov smashed the resulting penalty into the roof of the net.

The Spireites were stunned but picked themselves up to turn the score around with two quickfire goals just before half time.

Simpson’s headed the equaliser from Koroma’s centre and the celebrations had barely died down when Koroma tapped in at the far post from Hutton’s searching cross.

There were five changes to the starting line-up which crashed 4-1 at Newport, with Chelsea loanee Kiano Dyer coming in along with Ryan Stirk, Gordon, Marsh and Bonis.

Dyer was a bright spark, lively on the ball and willing to get a foot in when it mattered.

He was also involved in Chesterfield’s third goal on 55 minutes.

His dribble into the penalty area freed up space and Simpson was on hand to steer in his second of the game from close in.

One of the saves of the season, from Barker, prevented Bonis making it four from close range.

Chesterfield kept their foot on the gas and forced a couple of near misses before the tie was put back in the balance.

First, a rare counter-attack ended with James Daly picking his spot for 3-2 on 78 minutes.

Four minutes later the scores were level when Hayden Muller rose high to bury a far post header.

The tie suddenly looked like heading for extra time until Chesterfield conjured the final blow in the 89th minute.

Dilan Markanday weaved along the byline and his low ball across was converted by fellow sub Randall to the relief of the home crowd.

A very watchable cup tie thus ends with Chesterfield in Monday’s second round draw at 6.45pm. They are ball number 17.

Chesterfield (4-2-3-1): Hemming; Hutton, Pond, Simpson (capt), Gordon; Stirk, Dyer McEachran 80); Mandeville (Markanday 70), Marsh (Randall 70), Koroma, Bonis (Bryden 77)

Subs not used: Boot, Naylor, Duffy,Eccleston, Pearce

Yeovil (4-2-3-1): Barker, Kingdon, Ayina, Gubbins, Daly; Muller, Westbrooke; Jones, Powell, Obeng; Spasov

Referee: Scott Oldham

Attendance: 4,010 (514 visitors)