James Rowe 'excited' about Chesterfield's season after FA Trophy win against Boston United

The hosts went ahead early in the second half when Scott Garner headed in a corner at the far post with young Spireites goalkeeper Dylan Wharton caught underneath the ball on his debut.

But Town equalised from a corner of their own when Haydn Hollis glanced in Jak McCourt’s delivery with 15 minutes to go.

And Wharton, 18, then became the hero of the night as he saved Boston’s first spot-kick from ex-Spireite Jordan Burrows.

A rollercoaster of a night for the 18-year-old in difficult conditions on his Chesterfield debut. He only found out he was starting on the coach journey down. He was at fault for Boston's opener as he got caught underneath the ball from a corner. He was almost left red-faced when opposition goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons hit the crossbar with a goal-kick that got caught in the wind, and there were a few other nervy moments. But he proved to be the hero of the night when he saved Jordan Burrows' spot-kick in the shootout, gaining him an extra mark from me. A night he will never forget.

Another former Town player, Connor, Dimaio, fired his penalty wide before Tom Whelan hit the winner as Chesterfield advanced to the fifth round after a 4-1 victory.

Boss Rowe said: “We have put ourselves in a really exciting position. We are four points off the play-offs and we are in the last 16 of the trophy. It is what we need as a community and a town to aim for something.

“Young Dylan needs to learn from the corner but other than that his performance as a 18-year-old was exceptional and obviously he saved the penalty in the shootout as well.

“He has worked really hard since I have come in.

“He has deserved that moment and I was really delighted for him.

“I had a smile from ear-to-ear when he saved the first penalty.

“He can take confidence from that and he will never ever forget for the rest of his life.”

“The lads gave him a round of applause there and he will remember that day for the rest of his life.”

Town face a trip to Aldershot Town in the next round.

On the performance overall, Rowe added: “We showed great character to come back from one-nil down.

“I thought we created three clear-cut opportunities in the first half but did not punish them and we paid the price.

“I was really pleased with Joe Rowley and Liam Mandeville, they were a threat with the ball and they worked hard.

“A few of the lads said they felt leggy and it was a big ask to come here against a team who have not lost since December 5 so it is pleasing to get the victory.”