Spireites Defeat Sheffield United.

Chesterfield sealed a 3-2 win over Sheffield United at the Proact Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with Jimmy Ryan, Gary Roberts and Eoin Doyle all getting on the scoresheet. The Blades pulled two quick-fire goals back in the closing stages courtesy of Marc McNulty and Neill Collins, but in the end failed to prevent a victory for the Spireites. 

In the opening moments, Daniel Jones drove forwards before unleashing a ferocious effort that just sailed wide of the crossbar. The Blades then thought they'd opened the scoring through Michael Higdon's diving header from close range, only for it to be denied by the linesman's off-side flag.

On 26 minutes, the Spireites took the lead courtesy of Ryan's magnificent strike into the top left-hand corner of the net from an astounding 30 yards. Just 29 minutes had been played before Higdon received a red card following a horrendous challenge on Jones, which left the defender in serious pain before eventually recovering in order to continue.

Moments later, Tommy Lee was the second player to be sent off in this heated contest as a consequence of a late foul on a member of the opposition that occurred just outside his area. On the stroke of half-time, Chesterfield doubled their advantage as Roberts got in behind the opposing defence before calmly finishing under Sheffield United goalkeeper Mark Howard.

Immediately after the break, penalty appeals on Chesterfield's behalf were waved away by the referee after Roberts went to ground inside the area. A lull in proceedings followed, with Chesterfield more than happy to keep possession in their own half of the field.

Driving forward from his deep midfield role, Sam Morsy sensed an opportunity to add a third before eventually releasing a curled effort that sailed narrowly wide of the post. With 19 minutes of normal time left to play, the Spireites netted their third goal of the afternoon to put daylight between themselves and their opponents, as Doyle showed quick reactions to finish low from close range past a flailing Howard.

As the game entered the final ten minutes of normal time, Sheffield United netted what would turn out to be the first of two consolation goals through McNulty's finish after the striker capitalised on a goalkeeping error from substitute Myles Wright. The away side continued to press forward until the full-time whistle and eventually reduced the deficit further courtesy of a Collins header following a driven free-kick, but ultimately failed to prevent an important victory for the Spireites.