Fleetwood Town v Chesterfield FC Report
A late goal from substitute John Parkin sealed a 1-1 draw between Fleetwood Town and league leaders Chesterfied.
In the opening stages, Junior Brown failed to reach a Martin Crowther cross from the left-hand side. Stewart Murdoch then fired high and wide from range for the home side.
Antoni Sarcevic’s header never troubled Lee in the Chesterfield goal, as the Cod Army took the early initiative. On the counter, an Eoin Doyle cross was put behind for a corner.
After a poor pass from Ritchie Humphreys, Fleetwood striker Jamille Matt intercepted but Ian Evatt was there to block his way to goal. The troublesome Sarcevic attempted a half-volley from range, although it sailed over the crossbar.
Sam Morsy’s drilled effort was then caught comfortably by Scott Davies. Mid-way through the first half, Nathan Pond had the ball in the back of the net, but the flag was already raised for off-side.
On the stroke of half-time Sam Hird had a header that was caught with ease by Davies, as both teams went in level at the break.
After the restart, recent loan acquisition Chris Porter squandered a fantastic opportunity in front of goal, after Davies spilled a low shot from Tendayi Darikwa.
An inviting cross from visiting defender Liam Cooper forced Dean Howell to head behind for a corner. From the resulting kick, Chesterfield took the lead after Cooper’s glancing header at the near post evaded Davies in the Fleetwood goal.
The goal spurred the away side on. Hird’s shot from an awkward angle was then superbly saved by Davies. Brown’s long range effort was then caught easily by Lee, as the midfielder looked for a quick response from the Cod Army.
Sarcevic then shot high and wide, after the home side’s claims for a penalty were turned down after a supposed handball from an opposition player. Sarcevic wasted yet another chance when through on goal, as Lee stopped the former Chester City man in his path.
A lofted Darikwa pass was then met by Porter, although he could only get a slight touch on the ball with his foot as it went wide of the post. Suddenly, Fleetwood were awarded a penalty. A clumsy challenge from Ian Evatt being the infringement. Midfielder Jeff Hughes stepped up to take it, but his effort was poor and the ball sailed high and wide of goal.
A Jimmy Ryan through ball nearly found Porter, but once again the striker failed to reach it. A header from Matt just went wide of goal, as he striker fought for an equaliser.
On 88 minutes, Fleetwood got the goal they craved. John Parkin picked up possession in the penalty box and composed himself to finish low past Lee.
Five minutes of added time gave both sets of players the incentive to go forward in search of a late winner. The last act of the game was a defensive clearance from the home side, following a Jay O’Shea free-kick that was fired straight at the opposition wall.
Chesterfield manager Paul Cook will be satisfied with a point, as it maintains the club’s lead at the summit of League Two.
