kThe Spireites, backed by a vocal 2,300 away following, only needed a point but they fell to defeat in West Yorkshire. However, they will have another opportunity to get their hands on the trophy when they host Boreham Wood on Saturday.
Will Grigg gave Town the lead just after the half-hour mark but three Halifax goals in 15 minutes before half-time, including a double from Rob Harker and one from Andrew Oluwabori, gave the visitors an uphill task on a dreadful pitch at The Shay on Wednesday night. on a dreadful pitch at The Shay on Wednesday night.
And even though James Berry, a replacement, pulled a goal back with ten minutes left, Aaron Cosgrave’s goal on 66 minutes effectively ended any chance of a promotion celebration. Town put up some late pressure, but they were unable to get a third to give the game a thrilling conclusion.
Halifax deserved to win since they were more proficient on the challenging pitch. The four goals given up here, against Bromley, Dorking Wanderers, and Oldham Athletic, along with the two at Oldham Athletic, won’t matter this season, but manager Paul Cook will undoubtedly be thinking about them come back.
Seven players were substituted from the 2-2 loss to Oldham on Saturday, with Bailey Clements and Liam Mandeville taking over at full-back. After an injury in January, Ryan Colclough started for the first time, and Grigg went back to the top. After scoring at Boundary Park on his maiden league start, Bailey Hobson was able to hold onto his position.
The earlier part of the day cast doubt on this match, but a check in the afternoon cleared the marshy surface.
The hosts got off to a fast start as Oluwabori forced Harry Tyrer into an early long-range stop. Later, Jamie Grimes cleared a shot that Kane Thompson-Sommers had attempted. It probably would have gone if the pitch hadn’t been a mud-bath, but it appeared to get trapped in the muck.
Chesterfield, on the other hand, had several nice opportunities, but their last pass was disappointing. With one dribble and shot that narrowly missed the post and another turn and shot that was diverted behind, the returning Colclough appeared dangerous.
Colclough cut inside and cracked the post to give Town the lead shortly after the half-hour mark, but Grigg was ready to tuck away from close range. The away end saw some joyous moments, but they were cut short when the game took an unexpected turn just one minute later.
Harker’s deft finish on minute 33 gave Halifax an immediate equaliser. Seven minutes later, he added another as he broke through and flicked the ball over Tyrer. And in additional time, the home team scored a third when Oluwabori was slipped in for another one-on-one.
Chesterfield had shown resilience on numerous occasions this season, and they would have to do it once more to secure the point required to secure the championship and promotion.
Early in the second half, Harker had a clear opportunity to score, but he stood on top of the ball, wasting the opportunity.
After Hobson’s 18-yard shot went wide, Berry came in to replace Colclough, who appeared to have taken a knock. Grigg then had a fantastic opportunity to score his second goal, but he slid wide from Clements’ cross.
Chesterfield paid a heavy price when Cosgrave launched a quick counterattack.
And Grigg’s one-on-one save by Sam Johnson was never going to be the Spireites’ night.
Chesterfield had a glimmer of hope when Berry sprinted through to make it 4-2, and they poured the kitchen sink at Halifax in the final minutes, but it was not to be.
Tyrone Williams, who had to be replaced with fifteen minutes remaining, and Grigg, who walked off down the tunnel prior to the full-time whistle, were also possible targets in addition to Colclough.
The large away crowd was unhappy, but they could salvage the day when they play Boreham Wood on Saturday.
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