Recap: Chesterfield concede three goals in first-half in defeat to Hartlepool United
This is about as tough as it gets for Town as they try and put an end to third-placed Pools’ 15-match unbeaten run.
Chesterfield go into this one on the back of a good win at rivals Bromley in midweek, while the hosts have not played for two weeks.
Liam Norcliffe is at the game and will have all the build-up, team news, updates and reaction.
Hartlepool United v Chesterfield: LIVE UPDATES
Key Events
- FT: Hartlepool United 3 v 1 Chesterfield
- Rhys Oates put Pools ahead on five minutes
- Josef Yarney own goal makes it 2-0
- Luke Armstrong adds third before half-time
- Fraser Kerr gets one back against his old club in second-half - his first for Spireites
- Three changes for Chesterfield as Josef Yarney, Curtis Weston and Nathan Tyson replace Gavin Gunning, Martin Smith and Kairo Mitchell
- (3-4-1-2): G. Smith; Yarney, Kerr, Maguire (c); Carline, Weston, Oyeleke, Taylor; Clarke; Rowe, Tyson .Subs: Rowley, Mandeville, M.Smith, Whelan, Mitchell.
Third for Hartlepool: 3-0
Game over before half-time you would have to feel. Armstrong taps in after Holohan hit the post from a couple of yards out.
Almost one back for Town, Rowe lets fly from about 35 yards from a free-kick, Ravas parries and Kerr hooks it over the bar but he was offside. It was a thunderous strike from Rowe.
Second goal for Hartlepool: 2-0
Own goal by Yarney, who turns a cross into his own net. It was a great ball in behind Taylor, the cross from Sterry was inviting and Yarney turned it in. Mountain to climb now. Seven minutes to the break.
10 to the break
Pools are not letting Chesterfield have any time on the ball. Their pressing has been excellent. Town will do well to get in just one goal behind at this rate.
Curls a shot wide from the edge of the area after a counter. The hosts look dangerous every time they go forward. Town need to dig in because if they go two down then you would have to feel there is no way back. 28 gone, 1-0.
Midway point in first-half
Still 1-0. Town still yet to have a shot. Pools are getting a lot of joy down Chesterfield’s left, Sterry and Cass are linking up well. You can certainly see why the hosts are 15 unbeaten.
Good save
By Smith to deny Pools’ Shelton who went past a couple of players in the box before getting a shot off. Smith parried, the ball came back in from Ferguson but Kerr cleared. Big let off. 1-0, 17 gone.
Opening stages
Twelve minutes gone and the Spireites are behind after a sluggish start. The visitors have just won their first corner so hopefully they can have a bit of territory in the Pools half now.
Goal for Hartlepool: 1-0
Rhys Oates has the hosts in front after five minutes. The striker pounced from close-range after Smith made a good reaction save from a header from a corner. Nightmare start for Town who have not got going yet.