'The match epitomised our season so far' - Paul Cook reacts to Chesterfield's win over Yeovil in the FA Cup

Manager Paul Cook says Chesterfield’s roller-coaster ride into the second round of the FA Cup summed up the team’s season so far.

Again brilliant going forward but vulnerable at the back, his side weathered a late comeback from National League Yeovil Town to prevail 4-3 with a late decider from Bolton Wanderers loanee Joel Randall.

It was a great watch for the crowd of just over 4,000, less so for the coaches.

“The match epitomised our season so far. If it could be encapsulated in a game then that was it,” said Cook.

“We do such good stuff on a football pitch, we play some really good football.

“Yeovil then score from their first penalty box entry on 31 minutes.

“I thought our lads did great to get off the floor. There was no drama. We kept going and scored a couple of goals and got the third and at 3-1 you think that’s the game.

“Their second goal was only their second penalty box entry in the game.

“We bring our subs on in the hope of giving us a lift and obviously (Dilan) Markanday made a great goal for (Joel) Randall but they don’t allow you to feel comfortable. They don’t allow good emotions at the minute.

“We don’t want to be on a roller coaster ride. It is really disappointing we concede goals that we don’t see coming. It’s isolated incidents. We have done so much work on the training ground.

“If you had any knowledge of football you would say either we are tremendously unlucky or there is a fundamental problem. We’ll just keep working hard behind the scenes to be better.”

Chesterfield’s slick approach play brought a first senior career goals double for centre-half Jack Simpson and a fifth of the season for Josh Koroma. Those strikes had them in control heading towards the last ten minutes until two out-of-the-blue replies from the Glovers threatened to push the tie into extra time.

Cook promised to keep finding ways to mould a side that is as mean in defence as it is free-flowing in attack.

“We could solve it by having less people to go forward and more back,” he reasoned.

“If we were defending our 18-yard box and were kicking the ball off the line then I’d feel the need to reinforce our back line.

“At the minute I don’t see that. I don’t know how many attempts Yeovil had on goal today - no different from Newport last week - but every attempt seems to go in.

“We change it by watching, analysing, working and trying to get better.”

Chesterfield are nevertheless through to the draw for the second round which takes place at 6.45pm on Monday. They are ball number 17.

“I think we forget we’re in the next round,” added Cook.

“Without a doubt we are conceding too many goals, especially for a team that doesn’t give many chances up or come under loads of pressure.

“At the same time I certainly don’t want to take away the attacking threat that we carry.”

The victors came through the tie with a clean bill of health but having made five changes for today’s game, others are expected for Tuesday’s short hop to Mansfield Town in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy.

Kick-off is 7pm and the club have already sold out their ticket allocation.