Clear identity and Shakira - what we learned from Chesterfield's win at Grimsby Town

Here’s what we learned from the three points at Blundell Park on Saturday as the Spireites stretched their unbeaten run to eight matches in all competitions.

CLEAR IDENTITY

This performance is more evidence that Chesterfield have turned a corner away from home. After the Colchester car crash, they have now strung three solid performances together on the road, resulting in a return of four points and a cup upset. Had it not been for a last-gasp concession at Tranmere, it would have been a hat-trick of one-nillers. Some small tweaks seem to have given them more of a clear identity and an uplift in confidence that they can pick up points away. Combined with an unbeaten home record, it bodes well for the rest of the season.

RETURNING DUO

There were two changes to the starting line-up with Devan Tanton and Ronan Darcy replacing Vontae Daley-Campbell and Liam Mandeville. Both played like they were keen to show that they should be starting more often. Tanton linked-up well with Dilan Markanday and he was a good outlet when going forward when Grimsby went down to 10-men, as well as being defensively sound. Darcy brought energy, directness and he will leave Lincolnshire probably a bit disappointed that he did not score. His was well-placed to net in the first 45 but slotted wide. His second chance was more difficult but he got it on target and he was denied by a decent save. Both players will have given Paul Cook some food for thought and both have probably done enough to keep their place next week.

WAKA WAKA EH EH

Markanday’s return to form was rubber-stamped recently and it was his dancing feet that created the winner, with Harvey Rodgers slicing his cross into his own net. That bit of brilliance inspired the travelling Spireites fans to belt out a catchy new song for their wing wizard, fitting his name into Shakira’s 2010 World Cup song. ‘Waka waka eh eh, Markanday on a free, we’re gonna win the league.’ Shakira away at a stormy Blundell Park was not on our bingo card but everyone will take it.

SPICY

That was the word Gary Roberts used to sum up the game on and off the pitch. Referee Martin Woods was booed off at half-time and at full-time by the angry home faithful, who were frustrated at his decision-making. Although they may feel peeved at some of his general decisions, there was no doubt that it was a stonewall red card for goalkeeper Christy Pym after he cleaned out Lee Bonis on the edge of the box after the striker danced past him. After that, you wondered whether the pressure from the home ranks would see referee Woods buckle and even it up or award the Mariners a penalty but he stood firm. With Chey Dunkley on a yellow card and walking a tightrope, and with the home bench appealing for everything, Chesterfield made the sensible decision to take him off and replace him with Janoi Donacien.