Josh Koroma strike earns improved Chesterfield a point against gritty Gillingham
Chesterfield had to settle for a point from a hard fought tussle with Gillingham despite a first goal for the club from Josh Koroma.
Summer signing Koroma’s first goal in senior football since last August had the Spireites ahead midway through a first half they dominated at the SMH Group Stadium.
Win-less Gillingham hung in and fashioned an equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw but all told it was a much better show from Chesterfield after all the angst in Saturday’s defeat to Rotherham.
Paul Cook’s calls for the team to play forward more were heeded. Their passing was generally much more positive and progressive and brought plenty of chances.
Dilan Markanday had a drive turned around a post early on, Lee Bonis shot wide on the turn and Lewis Gordon planted an inviting centre wide of the target.
A deserved breakthrough came on 22 minutes.
Kyle McFadzean played a raking ball down the right into the path of Markanday and it was worked into the box and to Koroma, who composed himself to steer beyond the dive of Ollie Wright and into the far corner from close range.
The Spireites continued to cut through Gillingham and rain shots in goal.
The shoot on sight policy was led by the rejuvenated Koroma, who set up Markanday for a dipper kept out by the fingertips of the keeper off the last attack of the half. The visitors, pressed back, were glad to get in 1-0 down and their manager Gareth Ainsworth cut a frustrated figure.
Chesterfield had to be prepared for an improved Gillingham in the second half.
After a quiet spell, they got a leg-up somewhat out of the blue on the hour when Ronan Hale’s deflected shot found its past a wrong-footed Ryan Boot to make it 1-1.
The goal saw the visitors grow into the game and punctured the atmosphere a little.
To the surprise of many, Cook had resisted the temptation to make changes to the starting XI which lost to Rotherham but to an extent the move was justified apart from the result.
There was a lively cameo from Louie Marsh, the new loan signing from Sheffield United, in the hunt for a winner.
Liam Mandeville, so strong on the night, stung the palms of stopper Wright and Marsh went close as the visitors’ goal led a charmed life in the closing stages.
A point when three were desired, but reasons for encouragement from the men in blue.
Chesterfield (4-2-3-1): Boot; Hutton (Eccleston 90), Simpson, McFadzean (capt), Gordon; Stirk, McEachran (Naylor 77); Markanday, Mandeville, Koroma (Marsh 76); Bonis (Bryden 77)
Subs not used: Naylor, Bryden, Marsh, Eccleston
Gillingham: Wright, McManus, Smith, Beccles (capt), Dobbs, Freeman, Waldock, McKenzie (Antwi 75), Hale (McCleary 72), Stillah (Goodwin 65), Brophy,
Referee: Ross Martin
Attendance: 7,103 (252 visitors)