Luton 4, Chesterfield 0: Nightmare start for Humphreys as Spireites crash out of Checkatrade Trophy

Managerless Chesterfield saw their Checkatrade Trophy hopes end dismally at the last 16 stage.
Chesterfield's Jake Beesley has a shot on goal. Pic: Andrew RoeChesterfield's Jake Beesley has a shot on goal. Pic: Andrew Roe
Chesterfield's Jake Beesley has a shot on goal. Pic: Andrew Roe

Ritchie Humphreys took caretaker charge for the first time since Danny Wilson’s departure at the weekend, but he couldn’t provide the necessary inspiration as League Two play-off chasers Luton were good value for their thumping victory.

Two Luton goals inside a sharp three-minute burst midway through the first period left the Spireites facing an uphill battle by the interval at Kenilworth Road.

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The deadlock was broken after 23 minutes when referee Charles Breakspear pointed to the spot after Laurence Maguire floored Craig Mackail-Smith in the box.

Chesterfield's caretaker manager Ritchie Humphreys. Pic: Andrew RoeChesterfield's caretaker manager Ritchie Humphreys. Pic: Andrew Roe
Chesterfield's caretaker manager Ritchie Humphreys. Pic: Andrew Roe

The Hatters’ experienced front-man dusted himself off before slotting coolly past Lloyd Allinson.

It was soon 2-0 when Jack Marriott latched on to a long punt forward, shrugged off the attention of Sam Hird, before drilling confidently past Allinson.

Earlier, Allinson had been called upon twice in the opening minutes, saving impressively from Mackail-Smith and Jordan Cook’s superb curling strike.

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After going two goals behind, the Spireites rallied somewhat, with Dan Gardner cutting inside neatly before smashing a shot narrowly wide.

Chesterfield's Gboly Ariyibi battles with Luton's Jack Senior. Pic: Andrew RoeChesterfield's Gboly Ariyibi battles with Luton's Jack Senior. Pic: Andrew Roe
Chesterfield's Gboly Ariyibi battles with Luton's Jack Senior. Pic: Andrew Roe

Mackail-Smith responded when finding space, only to fire straight at a grateful Allinson, while at the other end the visitors were denied agonisingly by the bar just as the game entered stoppage-time.

It was Jay O’Shea who came mighty close to halving the deficit, though it may have been more by luck than design as his looping free-kick into the danger zone struck the top of the crossbar before bouncing behind.

It proved to be a hugely disappointing start to the second period for Humphreys’ men.

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Soon after the restart the Hatters went close when Cook fired in a goal-bound strike which was bravely blocked by Ian Evatt.

Chesterfield's caretaker manager Ritchie Humphreys. Pic: Andrew RoeChesterfield's caretaker manager Ritchie Humphreys. Pic: Andrew Roe
Chesterfield's caretaker manager Ritchie Humphreys. Pic: Andrew Roe

In the 51st minute it was 3-0 to the hosts.

Marriott struck again, latching on to a neat pass from Cook before angling a shot across Allinson and into the far corner of the goal.

Humphreys made a double substitution in response, but still his team struggled to find a clear view of goal.

The Spireites did go close to pulling a goal back in the 71st minute.

Chesterfield's Gboly Ariyibi battles with Luton's Jack Senior. Pic: Andrew RoeChesterfield's Gboly Ariyibi battles with Luton's Jack Senior. Pic: Andrew Roe
Chesterfield's Gboly Ariyibi battles with Luton's Jack Senior. Pic: Andrew Roe
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Connor Dimaio took aim from the edge of the box, only for his shot to fizz a whisker past the post.

Cook thought he’d increased Luton’s lead in the 79th minute, but a linesman’s flag rescued the Spireites this time.

However, sub Isaac Vassell lashed in a fourth goal for the hosts with four minutes to go.