Recap: Chesterfield slip out of National League play-offs after defeat to leaders Torquay United

Chesterfield face National League leaders Torquay United at the Technique Stadium today (3pm KO).
Torquay's players celebrate Connor Lemonheigh-Evans' goal.Torquay's players celebrate Connor Lemonheigh-Evans' goal.
Torquay's players celebrate Connor Lemonheigh-Evans' goal.

The Spireites are in the last play-off spot and have won one of their last six, while the visitors are in red hot form with seven victories in eight.

The Gulls are top of the table, one point ahead of second-placed Sutton United and three ahead of Hartlepool United in third.

Liam Norcliffe is at the game and will have all the build-up, team news, updates and reaction.

Chesterfield v Torquay United: LIVE UPDATES

Key Events

  • FT: Chesterfield 0 v 2 Torquay United
  • Spireites slip out of play-offs after defeat
  • Lemonheigh-Evans gives visitors early lead, Waters adds second with 15 to go
  • (3-4-1-2) G.Smith; Kerr, Gunning, Maguire; Carline, Oyeleke, M.Smith, Whittle; Mandeville; Rowe, Mitchell. Subs: Rowley, Clarke, McCourt, Whelan, Yussuf.

Shoots wide from the edge of the area after the ball fell to him 20 yards out. It looked fairly close from here. This is better from the Blues.

Chesterfield have weathered the Torquay storm and have probably been the better side in the last 10 minutes. They have got a foothold in this game now.

Carline gets up at the far post from Smith’s corner from the right but his header is cleared off the line. So close! 33 gone, 0-1.

Great play by Town with Mandeville at the heart of it, Kerr makes an overlapping run down the right and delivers a cross which Rowe looked to get a touch at the near post, there was a bit of scramble in the box and then Torquay were given a free-kick. Nice football by the hosts though.

20 minutes gone and Torquay are ahead and look very dangerous going forward.

Town need to dig deep otherwise they could soon find themselves two down.

Chance for the hosts

Chesterfield counter with Rowe who travels all the way into the Torquay box but a visiting defender gets back and makes a great tackle.

Lemonheigh-Evans tucks the ball away inside the area on his left boot after a lovely pass into him by Andrews. He was given too much space but he finished it well. Too easy though. 0-1, 10 minutes gone.

Carline launches a long throw into the box from the left. It is cleared but the hosts keep it alive with some nice play down the left. Mandeville dinks a cross in and Mitchell is well-placed in the six-yard box but the ball just skims the top of his head and goes out for a goal-kick.

Five minutes played and it remains goalless with no chances of note for either side so far.

Both teams have been trying to get the ball forward quickly but have had no joy so far.

Town are in their traditional home strip, while the visitors are in white shirts, black shorts and white socks.

Chesterfield will kick towards Kop in the first-half.