Recap: Chesterfied suffer late heartbreak against Notts County in play-offs
The Magpies finished one place and one point above the Spireites so they have home advantage in this one-off tie.
The match will go to extra-time and penalties if it finishes in a stalemate.
The winner of this clash will play Torquay United away next weekend.
Liam Norcliffe is at Meadow Lane and will have all the build-up, team news, updates and reaction.
Notts County v Chesterfield: LIVE UPDATES
Key Events
- FT: Notts County 3 v 2 Chesterfield
- Spireites concede in 90th minute to crash out of play-offs
- Boss James Rowe not happy with free-kick decision which led to winner
- Blues led twice through Danny Rowe’s long-range free-kick and Liam Mandeville’s strike
- Goalkeeper James Montgomery played last 30 minutes injured
- Notts play Torquay away in semi-finals next week
- One change for Chesterfield as Whittle replaces Taylor
- (3-4-2-1): Montgomery; Evans, Gunning(c), Maguire; Carline, Weston, Oyeleke, Whittle; Mandeville, Clarke; Rowe. Subs: Taylor, McCourt, Whelan, Tyson, Yussuf.
Thanks for joining us!
The promotion dream is over.
It wasn’t to be.
But they gave it everything.
Thanks for joining us throughout the season.
The future looks bright for Chesterfield Football Club.
Up the Blues!
ANALYSIS
Future is bright: Four talking points as Chesterfield's promotion dream ends in late heartbreak
Chesterfield’s promotion dream ended in late heartbreak against Notts County at Meadow Lane on Saturday.
Final thoughts from fan writer Ben
Well, that is heartbreaking. Notts County 3-2 Chesterfield, with the winner coming in the last minute of regular time.
It’s precious little comfort right now, but James Rowe’s side can hold their heads high, knowing they were involved in an open, tight game, and one that was a great advert for non-league football.
However, there is of course the matter of what might have been. It has to be said that it was some achievement for Chesterfield to be in this game at all, but they led not once but twice, and even at 2-2 had at least one clear goalscoring opportunity. Their marking from set pieces, particularly for County’s third, was questionable and for all the good work to get to this point, the fact that Town were architects of their own downfall at times today has to be a bitter disappointment.
It’s been a season of progress for Chesterfield Football Club though, and I would like to sign off by putting a positive spin on things. Today, the Spireites gave one of the best sides in the division a real run for their money, despite the disruption of a forced change and a heavily injured goalkeeper.
If you factor in all the players James Rowe will be able to welcome back next season, his side’s promotion credentials for the 2021/22 campaign are there for all to see.
This year, it wasn’t to be, and in the short-term, Spireites supporters can be justifiably disappointed with today’s defeat and the manner of it. However, looking more long-term, great strides have been made, and hopefully next year’s journey can end on a happier note. I, like many Town fans I’m sure, can’t wait to be there. Come on you blues!
ROWE REACTION
REACTION: James Rowe 'proud' but frustrated at officials in late play-off defeat against Notts County
James Rowe said he was ‘proud’ of Chesterfield’s performance but was left frustrated by the officials as the Spireites suffered late heartbreak in the play-off eliminator against Notts County.
It’s all over
FT: Notts County 3 v 2 Chesterfield
Late heartbreak.
They gave it everything but they are out of the play-offs.
Reaction coming up.
McCourt lets fly from the edge of the area but Slocombe tips it over for a corner. There’s a mad scramble from the resulting corner but Notts survive.
Fan writer Ben says...
Well, the Spireites have battled and battled here, but right at the end, they’ve let themselves down there. Notts County’s Mark Ellis given the freedom of Nottingham to head the ball home and put the hosts in front. 3-2 Notts County, and The Spireites have got just 5 minutes to avoid heartbreak here.