Spireites: ‘We weren’t good enough,’ admits Chesterfield boss Paul Cook

Referee Mike Russell gives Spireites Manager Paul Cook a talking to during the FA Cup clash with Southend by Tina Jenner Chesterfield v Southend

The Spireites went down 3-1 at home to Southend United in the second round of the competition on Saturday.

Mark Laird cancelled out Tendayi Darikwa’s early strike before Anthony Straker put the Shrimpers into a half time lead.

Tommy Lee sensationally saved a Barry Corr penalty before former Chesterfield man Kevan Hurst wrapped matters up late on.

And Cook said it was a tough result to take: “From starting the game so well and getting a goal up I felt that Southend totally dominated the half.

“From there they were in the ascendancy and were the first to every second ball. They looked bright and energetic and everything we didn’t look like.

“Sometimes as a manager you don’t understand it when you get these performances. I thought in the second half we had done okay.”

He added: “Unfortunately we weren’t good enough to win the game.”

Drew Talbot sent a header which skimmed the top of the bar on its way over before Ollie Banks’s driving run ended with a powerful shot, which missed Dan Bentley’s top left corner by a whisker, as the Spireites rallied in the second half.

Gary Roberts was replaced early on after he suffered a suspected hamstring injury, which could potentially rule him out for up to two months.