'The lads don’t stop' - reaction to a wonderful win for Chesterfield and their fans

There was admiration for Chesterfield’s never-say-die attitude as they dug deep to topple neighbours Mansfield Town.

The Jersey Mike’s Trophy group game with the local rivals elevated the fixture in importance and Paul Cook’s side delivered for a packed away end.

Trailing 2-0 inside the first 20 minutes and then 3-1 just after the hour due to familiar defensive frailties, they roared back with four unanswered goals to triumph 5-3.

It was the first time Chesterfield had scored five goals at Field Mill since the early 1970s.

“That one was for the supporters,” assistant manager Danny Webb told the Derbyshire Times.

“I think even a pre-season friendly would have brought out the same hostility, but it is great,

“Fair play to Mansfield. They put out a strong team and it was important to their fans as well.

“It’s disappointing because you go 2-0 down and think here we go again, conceding some goals.

“Mansfield are a strong League One team and at 2-0 they look very strong and powerful.

“The boys made some great blocks second half and put their bodies on the line.

“You lose as a team and tonight they certainly won as a squad.

“The lads don’t stop. They were 3-3 against Yeovil in the FA Cup on Saturday and they didn’t bottle it. Same tonight.

“Even at 3-3, you were thinking the game’s not won but then I just started to enjoy watching us. The play was good.”

Joel Randall’s second goal in as many games pulled the Spireites back to 2-1 just before half time against a dangerous Mansfield side.

At 3-1 it looked game over until two sweet strikes from Dylan Duffy, a goal from Tom Naylor and a late Liam Mandeville penalty completed an amazing night in a competition that often doesn’t get the juices flowing.

Chesterfield finish top of their group, earning a home tie in the first knockout stage.

They also return to League Two action at Bristol Rovers on Saturday of back-to-back cup wins.

Added Webb: “I said before that if we could beat Yeovil and Mansfield then we could go down to Bristol after putting a really disappointing night at Newport behind us.

“The players will enjoy this victory but the supporters are the ones it’s for and hopefully that will get a few hundred more with us on Saturday.”