Last-gasp win at Salford City a 'shot in the arm' for Chesterfield
Chesterfield’s last-gasp 1-0 victory at Salford City is a ‘shot in the arm’ for their season and a ‘really big win.’
That was the view of Gary Roberts after the Blues nicked the three points in the 93rd minute on Tuesday night against an in-form side who were second in the table before kick-off. It was Town’s first win in six and it moved them up to seventh and two points off the play-offs. After a really disappointing defeat at bottom club Newport County last Saturday, this was a much-needed result.
“That is a shot in the arm for us, that is a really big win,” Roberts said. “It was a tough night for us on Saturday. That bus home was one of the toughest we have been on since being back at the club. There were some home truths. We let ourselves down and our fans.”
The playing surface at the Peninsula Stadium was scuffy and it made for a scrappy game but Chesterfield battled hard before hitting the hosts with a snatch-and-grab. Roberts continued: “We knew it was going to be a difficult pitch to play on. We had to play the conditions and we changed our approach. It is probably the least passes we have made in a couple of years. We dug in, fought and scrapped and nicked a goal at the end. We went a little bit more pragmatic today. To get an away win here, it is a big night for us.”
Chesterfield were under the cosh in the second-half, with the hosts hitting the woodwork, missing chances and being denied by some last-ditch defending. And they paid the price when Sam Curtis’ cross was turned into his own net by Brandon Cooper.
Roberts said: “For the goal it was probably the one bit of play where we connected a couple of passes. It was a tough pitch to play on and we couldn’t connect passes. On Saturday we made 600 passes and tonight will probably be 200. We made a couple of passes, Sam Curtis got on the outside and we got a bit of luck for the goal.”
On the importance of this win, Roberts added: “They are all important now. We had to get off the floor today. We were a really low group after Saturday. But what great character we showed. It is testament to the boys.