'I am as frustrated as the fans are' - Paul Cook's thoughts as Chesterfield let another team off the hook

Manager Paul Cook says he shares supporters’ frustration but not the over-the-top criticism from some sections after another night of match of missed opportunities, this time against Colchester United.

The Spireites peeled off some lovely football, particularly in the first half, but had only Dilan Markanday’s 29th minute strike to show for their superiority and multiple goal attempts.

The lowly visitors hung in and bagged a late equaliser from substitute Ben Perry to claim an unlikely point.

“The game should have been over at half time,” said Cook. “We were so much in the ascendency, so many chances, shots, crosses into the box.

“But at 1-0 we all know exactly what this league brings. At 1-0, no matter what team you are, there’s a moment.

“Colchester had one or two shots on goal and we probably had 20 or 30.

“I have to support the players but I am as frustrated as the fans are.

“I’m probably as frustrated as I’ve ever been managing a club because I’m looking a team that I feel is good, that has good balance and creates chances and defends well for long periods and yet the lads at the back are getting punished for one moment and that’s really tough on them.”

Referring to shouts from the stand, he said: “There is a current in our stadium of not niceness.

“That’s football. If fans want me, that’s football. I’ve been in the game long enough to know.

“But I certainly know what shouting at and abusing a team does and what supporting does.

“I know what my world is. If people want to be in a different world then that’s their choice and their opinion.”

Chesterfield have slipped to ninth in League Two but would have been much higher had they not let so many points slip from winning positions.

“I’ve probably watched a Chesterfield team play up to half time as well as I’ve seen them play,” added Cook.

“You’ve got to take the game away from teams and if you don’t then they’ll keep going.

“We can only tell the players to keeping getting in those positions, keep getting in crossing positions and keep getting in good entry positions.

“Dilan cut inside and scores but we had plenty of other chances to take the game away.

“Credit to Colchester for keeping going, but the night is tinged with so much sadness when at times it promised to be so good.”

Veteran centre-half Kyle McFadzean didn’t play because he felt his calf in training and needs to be managed carefully.

Markanday came off after taking a knock to the knee but it is not considered serious.

Chesterfield will host non-league Yeovil Town in the first round of the FA Cup on the weekend of November 7 after they beat Leatherhead 5-2 in a fourth qualifying round replay.

Before that there’s a visit from Crewe Alexandra to the SMH on Saturday (3pm)