After 15 shots and 70 per cent of possession in Saturday’s tie at Fleetwood Town, they really should be in it.
The only stats that mattered were 1 and 0, the decisive blow struck by the boot of a certain Ched Evans.
Chesterfield played some lovely stuff in the second half and deserved to take the tie to penalties. Fleetwood will argue they deserved to edge it for a stubborn backs-to-the-wall defensive effort.
The plusses for the losers were some promising signs from their clutch of newcomers, all of whom will be in the frame for this weekend’s much more important League Two opener back at the SMH.
In the meantime here’s my stab at player ratings from Saturday’s game.
13. Fraser Bryden: 6
Fraser Bryden 6: New signing was brought on as Chesterfield chucked the kitchen sink at it in the last 20 minutes. Got stuck in and had a shot blocked Photo: Chesterfield FC
14. Liam Mandeville: 6
Liam Mandeville 6: Came on for Sotiriou in the last 20 minutes but like his team-mates couldn't penetrate Fleetwood's red wall Photo: Cameron Smith
15. Danny Aniskjko: 7
Danny Anisjko: Lively little 16-minute cameo showed why Chesterfield took him in pre-season. Went close late on Photo: Chesterfield FC
16. Tom Naylor: N/A
Tom Naylor N/A: 86th minute replacement for Lewis Gordon Photo: Cameron Smith