Monday 10th January 2011
by PAUL FISHER

Chesterfield's Danny Whitaker blasted two penalties for the Spireites to see them five points clear at the top of the table.

Deane Smalley also got on the score sheet sandwiched in between Whitaker's spot kicks.

Southend though gave Chesterfield some nervous moments when Barry Corr also scored from the spot, but the league leaders held on for all three points, and with Wycombe, Bury and Shrewsbury all losing, it was a great maximum by the North Derbyshire side.

Chesterfield came into the match at Roots Hall following a fortunate point at Accrington on Monday. Two late goals from Smalley and Scott Boden snatched a draw from defeat in Lancashire, so John Sheridan's men were determined to not let that happen in Essex.

Sheridan made three changes to the side with Jack Lester, Derek Niven and Jordan Bowery all dropping to the bench, they were replaced in the side by Jack Hunt, who's loan spell was due to end following this match, Deane Smalley made his first league start for the club and the dependable Mark Allott was brought back into the team following injury.

Sheridan would use Smalley up front as a lone striker with support from the wings in the form of Drew Talbot and Danny Whitaker.

Southend made four changes to the side that lost at home to Cheltenham six days previously.

The Spireites almost had the dream start with Mattis, who was operating back in midfield; through on goal his shot brought a fine save from Glenn Morris.

It wasn't long though before the Spireites got their noses in front following a Jack Hunt run down the right hand side, when he was brought down in the box and the referee Roger East pointed straight at the spot. Danny Whitaker stepped up and coolly slotted one home notching him double figures for the season - in the fastest time in his career.

Whitaker was at hand to give Chesterfield a double advantage, Ford fought hard to win the ball back inside his own half on the left hand side, Whitaker then launched a full weighted pass for Smalley to run onto - and with only the diminutive Johnny Herd to chase with him Smalley easily beat him for pace and slotted home just inside the box for his second goal in consecutive matches.

Tommy Lee was only really once called into action from a Ryan Hall volley, Lee dealt with a couple of dangerous crosses but Southend's attack was pretty limp with their main striker Barry Corr being marshalled well by Ford and Breckin.

It was a wonderful strike by Craig Easton which saw the Shrimpers get back into the match, a short pass played from the right saw Easton hit a wonderful strike which hit the right hand side of the net before you could blink and United thought that they were back in the match.

Just four minutes later the Spireites had maintained their two-goal advantage with Drew Talbot being brought down in the box. Whitaker again stepped up and planted his eleventh of the season past Morris and his seventh penalty from seven - in fact the only one he has missed was against Sheffield Wednesday in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

Referee East wasn't finished though with the penalty count and for a push on Corr in the box with seven minutes to go it was another spot kick which the former Spireite target took himself and slotted past Lee.

The Chesterfield stopper pulled off a wonder save from Corr moments before the penalty decision, a save which is becoming paramount with Lee's development. The former Macclesfield player really has improved in the two and a half seasons he has been at Chesterfield and it wouldn't be surprising if opposition scouts were making a note about Lee's availability in the summer.

Chesterfield saw through the final moments to record their fourth away win of the season. They are now six games unbeaten away from home in the league and with Port Vale and Rotherham not playing, Chesterfield used that advantage, took the points and put them on the board.

One of the vital things to remember would be that top scorers going into this match Craig Davies and Jack Lester were not selected for the starting eleven. Davies had flu and Lester was rested and made an appearance on the bench.

The Spireites looked very comfortable with five in midfield and the work ethic in the middle from Morris, Allott and Mattis was superb as was the wingers Talbot and Whitaker.

A word on Deane Smalley - he played superbly well, we expected him to tire towards the end and he did, but not till the 90th minute, an unbelievable individual performance and one that will put him in good stead as he tries to win a contract with Chesterfield.

Smalley's loan spell from Oldham finishes at the end of the month. Scott Griffiths joins the Spireites back from Peterborough till the end of the season, and he is welcomed back with Chesterfield in the same position as when he left it, Let's hope that when his loan spell ends in May it will be where he has started it on Monday morning.

For more information and other CFC news, go to www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk

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