Paul Cook has hinted that he thinks Chesterfield’s top three hopes might not be over after all.

Speaking after the defeat to Barnet last week, the Spireites manager suggested that he felt the automatic promotion places were probably out of Chesterfield’s reach now. The loss at The Hive saw Town drop out of the play-offs and Cook said securing a top seven finish was not a ‘given.’

But a good 3-0 win on Tuesday night against Colchester United meant they climbed two places to sixth and only six points by third-placed MK Dons. Chesterfield only have to play two of the current top seven between now and the end of the season so they potentially have a favourable set of fixtures ahead of them.

Understandably, emotions may have been running after the disappointing loss at Barnet, but the victory against Colchester has given them a new sense of optimism. So does he still feel that automatic promotion is out of their reach?

He laughed: “Yeah, it seems to suit us better when I say stupid things doesn’t it so let me carry on saying stupid things. I think because of the six point gap and the way the fixtures are I feel it is a step too far for us...and I have got a big nose.”

Cook revealed that they had a ‘massively tough’ team meeting on Monday where everyone was questioned, himself included. They have only lost one of their last eight, but three draws within that run could all easily have been wins, which is a frustration, so the focus is on turning those draws into three-pointers.

He added: "We have not lost loads of games but we have drawn too many, that has what has stopped us this year, the drawing of games. Now the emphasis is, can we go and win three, four and five games on the bounce? Now I think the team is capable of it, and I am sure our supporters think that, I think the players think it, but you have got to deliver, talk is cheap.”