'We cannot turn our nose up at a point' - Chesterfield camp give verdict on draw at Oldham Athletic
Gary Roberts felt a point was a fair result for Chesterfield after they survived a frenetic ending to draw 1-1 at Oldham.
The hosts had fought back from a goal down at half-time to level through former Spireite Kane Drummond early in the second half.
Chesterfield then had to mount a strong rearguard action in the closing moments with the Latics piling on the pressure.
They finally escaped Boundary Park with a valuable point following Zach Hemming’s superb penalty save in injury-time.
“It was a crash, bang, wallop game with a little bit of everything,” said Roberts. “A penalty, a sending off, an unbelievable goal for us and some last minute drama. I thought it had everything.
“We were hanging on a little bit at the end. We had our backs to the well and Zach got us away with one at the end.
“We were the much better team in the first half, we were controlled and had chances, but I think a draw was a fair result.
“To take a point is probably fair. We cannot turn our nose up at a point, it is a very tough place to come.”
Roberts admitted there was disappointment in the away dressing room at the nature of the goal conceded.
“We buckled a little bit for the goal, it was poor from our point of view,” added Roberts.
“The long ball shouldn’t hurt us, it is back to front and basic football. It works for Oldham because they play two strikers with a big man and little man. We have to defend that better.
“It was a great finish. We knew Kane has had a tough time with not scoring and he would be bang up for this game.”
Attention now turns to Sunday’s visit to MK Dons with a patched up Spireites defence short on numbers with injuries and Kyle McFadzean now out suspended.
“We are short at the minute in defence with a couple of injuries and a suspension, which is not ideal,” said Roberts.
“Unless we get one in we will try and push Jamie (Grimes) on, but obviously if he is injured we won’t push him to play.
“This is what squads are for, everyone has to play different positions. These games are a killer for all teams and a killer for us. Everyone feels it, the schedule is a little bonkers but no excuses.”
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