Tuesday 4th March 2014

It was not a game that had a 0-0 draw written all over it on paper but, with the Sky TV cameras at the PROACT, a determined and organised Portsmouth held Chesterfield to just one point after a game of chances which neither side converted.

With the general consensus in the camp that first blood is important, it was Gary Roberts who had a chance in the first minute but was denied - followed then by a chance at the other end for Portsmouth, similarly stopped by Tommy Lee.

In fact, it was to be Lee (left), who had the busier evening of the two Goalkeepers as Portsmouth came back time and again.

Pompey's Wallace struck on 7 but his attempt was caught awkwardly by Lee - a chance for Jervis a minute later ricocheting off Lee's right hand post.

It was 20 minutes before Chesterfield came into the game fully when a stunning strike by Ollie Banks from 30 yards was caught by Trevor Carson,

Jimmy Ryan had a similar shot on 28 but that suffered the same fate, the ball hoovered up by Carson before it could hit home.

Chesterfield hopes were raised again on 39 as a Dan Gardner free kick looked destined to go in but just skimmed the goal.

HT: 0-0

After what one assumes was a lively half time team talk in both dressing rooms, no substitutions were made to either side.

The first chance of half was Chesterfield's when Gary Roberts fired one across the goal on 48 - Jervis repeating the feat 10 minutes later across Lee's goal.

On 66, Portsmouth had perhaps the best chance of the evening - forcing Lee into making two saves of the highest calibre and settling Spireite nerves jangling somewhat.

Spireites' Manager Paul Cook made changes on 71 bringing Marc Richards on for Banks and just 4 minutes later, Jay O'Shea entered the field, replacing Gardner.

He shuffled the pack again with just 9 minutes left - Armand Gnanduillet (left), brought on for Eoin Doyle, this time in an attempt to bring that all important goal.

The Frenchman did seem to galvanise play and the game sprung to life in the dying minutes, but neither side was able to capitalise on the chances they created - O'Shea coming the closest but his shot was blocked by the Portsmouth defence - which was resolute all evening.

Three minutes of injury time led to Richards seeing his effort caught by Carson.

FT: 0-0


It was to be just the one point for Chesterfield - a point which sees them sitting 2 points clear of Scunthorpe and Rochdale at the top of SkyBet League Two - 'Dale with a game in hand - but more importantly, 6 points clear of Burton Albion in the top play off position.

CHESTERFIELD:
Lee, Darikwa, Evatt (c), Cooper, Humphreys, Morsy, Ryan,
Gardner (O'Shea 75), Banks (Richards 72), Roberts; Doyle (Gnanduillet 82)
Subs not used: Dunbavin, Smith, Hird, Togwell.

PORTSMOUTH:
Carson, N'Gala, Padovani, Holmes, Shorey, Fogden, Chorley (c),
Diagouraga, Jervis (Agyemang 90+1), Wallace, Devera
Subs not used: Smith, Ertl, Painter, Bradley, Harris, Racon.

Referee: Mark Brown

Attendance: 5,807

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

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