Chesterfield manager James Rowe 'very happy' with Spireites start despite goalless draw against Aldershot Town

Town missed several clear-cut chances and found visiting goalkeeper Brad James in inspired form.

The Shots were reduced to 10-men late on when Alfy Whittingham was shown a red card for a nasty tackle on David Buchanan but the Blues could not make the extra man count.

Before kick-off, Chesterfield announced the double signing of midfielders Jak McCourt, 25, and Tom Whelan, 24, and both were among the substitutes.

Reflecting on his first two games as manager, Rowe told the DT: “I am very happy. We need to work a little bit on getting up the pitch quicker and joining in with the front two. I think tonight it was a bit inconsistent after half-time, but, having said, I am asking them to do more. I think they felt it a little bit in the second half but then we grew again and I thought we dominated the last half an hour and we should have scored.

“There are a lot of pleasing signs and when you come in as a manager you want to get a togetherness quickly and I think we have got that.

“I am just really happy that we gave it a right go.

“We have got to look forwards and upwards now and I think four points from six is a positive start.”

On the missed chances, he added: “It happens but I am pleased with how we kept going.

“If we don’t win then we need to give our absolute all and I can say that hand on heart.”

McCourt has joined on a month-by-month basis and Whelan ‘will be here next year.’

Rowe felt that it was a ‘deserved’ red card for Whittingham and that Scott Boden’s second half goal was rightly ruled offside.

Rowe also said that he did not name a substitute goalkeeper because he wanted to be ‘positive.’

Meanwhile, striker Nathan Tyson is not going to return from injury until the end of January.

The Spireites’ match at Dover Athletic on Saturday has been postponed due to Covid issues at the Whites so the next match will be next Tuesday away at Sutton United.