Spireites take point as debutant scores within seconds

The 32-year-old, who joined the Spireites early on Saturday morning, came off the bench and scored within a minute of his introduction.

That cancelled out Paddy Madden’s opener and the point moves Wilson’s men five clear of the League One bottom four.

Boss Danny Wilson made two changes to the side that lost to Walsall last week, although Jamal Campbell-Ryce started on the bench.

Scunthorpe made the better start and constructed a sweeping counter-attack on seven minutes which ended with Stephen Dawson clipping the top of Tommy Lee’s bar with a header.

The hosts continued to pepper the Spireites’ box and their reward eventually arrived on 18 minutes.

Top scorer Paddy Madden got on the end of a simple through-ball, rounded Lee and fired home for his 20th of the season.

The Spireites’ first effort on goal didn’t arrive until the midway point in the half but Lee Novak blasted over after a fine move involving Declan John and Jay O’Shea down the left flank.

Scunthorpe were much hungrier for the ball and dictated the tempo for the majority of the first half.

Connor Dimaio created the best chance for Chesterfield just before half-time when Luke Daniels tipped his dipping half-volley over the bar.

Chesterfield came out all guns blazing for the start of the second half but a slick passing move failed to generate the shot on goal that it deserved.

Jay O’Shea did have a chance moments later but his snapshot went just wide.

Then came Campbell-Ryce’s introduction and what an impact he made.

The 32-year-old applied the finishing touch to a free-flowing Spireites’ move inside the box after O’Shea whipped the ball across the area.

It came less than 60 seconds after he replaced Dimaio and the diminutive winger was a constant menace to United.

Scunthorpe saw half-chances go amiss through Jim O’Brien and sub Luke Williams and Lee had to react quickly at the death to keep the hosts out, as spoils were shared in Lincolnshire.

Scunthorpe: Daniels, Clarke, Wallace, Mirfin, Townsend, Bishop (Williams 75), Dawson, Ness (McSheffrey 82), O’Brien, Madden, Hopper (Wootton 65)

Subs: Anyon, Laird, Adelakun, King.

Booked: Dawson.

Spireites: Lee, O’Neill, Hird, Anderson, John, Ariyibi, Banks (Talbot 89), O’Shea, Liddle, Dimaio (Campbell-Ryce 59), Novak

Subs: Chapman, Raglan, Orrell, Slew, Ebanks-Blake.

Booked: O’Neill

Ref: Keith Hill

Att: 3,871