Victorious Chesterfield set to face Notts County in League Two play-offs
Chesterfield are into the League Two play-offs after signing off the regular season with a gritty 2-1 win at Swindon Town.
The victory saw them finish sixth and set up a two-legged semi-final against fifth-placed Notts County.
The first leg is at the SMH Group Stadium next Sunday (6pm) and the second leg at Meadow Lane on Friday, May 15 (8pm).
Salford, who finished fourth, play seventh-placed Grimsby Town in the other tie.
It is the second successive year Paul Cook’s side have reached the play-offs and was well deserved based on events at a sold-out County Ground.
The Spireites played much the better football in the first half and deserved the 1-0 lead handed to them on 19 minutes by Lee Bonis’ 17th goal of the season, slotting home after Armando Dobra's shot deflected into his path.
Other chances came and went and punishment came right on half time when Ben Middlemas slid in an unexpected leveller for the relieved home side.
The goal changed the atmosphere in the ground and the Spireites looked jittery in the opening stages of the second half.
The rising tension was ended on just after the hour when Dobra drove to the byline and his ball across was bundled in by Dilan Markanday.
The strike settled Chesterfield, although it took a goal-line clearance by Sil Swinkels and a terrific double save from Ryan Boot to protect the lead and ultimately three precious points.
Swindon, who needed a win to beat pip Chesterfield to the final play-off spot, now face another season in League Two.
There were big celebrations between Spireites players and the 1,939 travelling supporters in the crowd 12,989.
Another exciting week awaits.
Chesterfield (4-2-3-1): Boot; Curtis, McFadzean, Swinkels, Gordon; Stirk, Braybrooke; Markanday, Mandeville, Dobra; Bonis
Subs: Hemming, Donacien, Pearce, Naylor, Berry, Dickson, Grigg
Referee: Scott Oldham
Attendance: 12,989 (1,936 away)