Recap: Chesterfield slip out of National League play-offs after defeat to leaders Torquay United
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.
Record books
If Torquay win at Chesterfield today it will be the first time they have done so in a league game. They have visited Derbyshire 21 times but have never returned home with all three points.
However, they did win an FA Cup tie here in 2011.
Let’s hope that poor run continues today.
Liam’s line-up
James Rowe has said the number of games and injuries are starting to catch up with Chesterfield and I expect him to freshen it up today.
With Gavin Gunning unlikely to return due his hamstring injury and because of the three goals shipped in the first-half against Hartlepool, I would not be surprised to see the Blues change formation and go with four at the back which worked better in the second-half.
Joel Taylor was not at his best on Saturday so I think Alex Whittle will come back in for him and I can’t see Curtis Weston, who is managing a sore Achilles, being able to play again, or at least the full 90, so I think there will be some fresh legs in midfield as well.
Jak McCourt is back in training so perhaps he could be pushing for a place on the bench.
This would be my line-up (4-2-3-1): G.Smith; Carline, Kerr, Maguire, Whittle; M.Smith, Oyeleke; Whelan, Mandeville, Rowley; Mitchell. Subs: Yarney, Weston, Clarke, Tyson, Rowe.
Spireites team news
The big question on everyone’s mind will be whether Gavin Gunning can return for this one.
The defender missed the Hartlepool match with an ongoing hamstring problem which he is managing.
But in his post-match interview on Saturday boss James Rowe said Gunning was ‘unlikely’ to return today.
Gunning has put his body on the line and Rowe has said if it was any other point in the season he would not be risked but he is taking it game-by-game at the moment.
They really missed him at Victoria Park, but it looks like they will have to do without him here as well.
Four talking points
Learning curve and 'Mad Gav' - four big talking points from Chesterfield's defeat to Hartlepool
Chesterfield suffered their first defeat in seven away matches after conceding three times in the first-half against title contenders Hartlepool United.
Player ratings from Saturday
Liam Norcliffe's Chesterfield player ratings from defeat to Hartlepool United
Chesterfield conceded three times in the first-half as they fell to defeat against Hartlepool United on Saturday.
Rowe reaction to Hartlepool defeat
Chesterfield's first-half performance against Hartlepool was 'unacceptable', says boss James Rowe
Spireites boss James Rowe said Chesterfield’s first-half performance against Hartlepool United was ‘unacceptable’ and that he picked the ‘wrong’ formation.
We’re back!
Less than 48 hours after Chesterfield lost at Hartlepool, they are back in action against Torquay United today (3pm KO).
Stay with us throughout the day and evening as we bring you eveything you need to know.
COYB!