Chesterfield hold firm to earn tight win over Eastleigh

Spireites continue to make the Technique Stadium a fortress with 1-0 victory over Eastleigh.

The National League’s top scorer extended his lead as he notched in his 11th of the season to earn the Spireites a ninth game unbeaten at home.

Action was few and far between with Chesterfield’s captain Gavin Gunning’s blood soaked face providing the gore in a stale opening 20 minutes. A rogue firework over the Karen Child Community Stand provided the only element of excitement.

In the 33rd minute, Tshimanga scored his customary Chesterfield goal converting from close range after, surprise selection, Stefan Payne made good use of referee Adam Herczeg’s advantage to pick out the prolific striker.

Ben Strevens’ Eastleigh came out of the half-time break with an emphasis of keeping the ball, but despite all of their possession James Rowe’s defence remained impenetrable against Eastleigh - as they have been for the two sides last four encounters.

Spitfires’ skipper, Andrew Boyce, came the closest for the tangerine travellers seeing his free header from inside the box deflected away for a corner. Moments later, former Spireite couldn’t reproduce the heroics that earned his side a victory at the weekend as his free-kick effort flew over the bar.

Rowe remained a cool presence on the touchline, as he has all season, despite being forced into making two changes due to injuries. Prior to the start of the match, Danny Rowe’s exclusion from the squad raised question marks and another two players piled onto the physio’s table wouldn’t have been welcomed.

Despite his short experience in management, Rowe his calmness and tactical guile guided Chesterfield to earn their third straight win. The Derbyshire outfit sit just one point off, league leaders, Grimsby who lost away to Wealdstone.