Chesterfield lift Derbyshire Senior Challenge Cup with win over Alfreton Town

Spireites scored after just 85 seconds when George Smith’s free-kick somehow found it’s way into the net from distance.

The Reds continued to throw everything at Chesterfield, but were unable to find the goal needed to take the game to penalties.

After Smith have got his side off to the perfect start, Joe Anyon was forced in to a save from Chris Sharp’s 11th minute header.

Ryan Jennings stabbed a gilt-edged chance wide on 24, but Joe Rowley lashed wide from a good position for the Spireites and Viktor Johansson pulled off a particularly good save from the same player in first half added time.

Tom Platt’s deflected 52nd minute free-kick was well read by Anyon.

Then Johansson dealt with a ferocious Ricky German drive before Rowley squandered the rebound.

From that moment on it was virtually all Alfreton as they searched in vain for a leveller.

Andre Johnson twice had shots blocked for corners after promising runs at goal, then crucially in the 76th minute Tom Allan had a towering header cleared off the line by Dylan Hand, with James Baxendale then going close from just outside the area.

Chesterfield did have one telling attack however 12 minutes from time when Levi Amantchi’s back-header came back off the crossbar from close range.