Tuesday 28th March 2016
by Howard Borrell
SkyBet League One
Oldham Athletic 1-0 Chesterfield
Boundary Park, Monday 28th March 2016, 3pm
 It was all 'too little too late' as the Spireites lost a crucial six-pointer at Boundary Park on Easter Monday to bring the spectre of relegation back into focus.
Overall Oldham had the lions share of the ball, created the majority of chances and deserved the three points that came their way thanks to a sweet 79th minute strike from Michael Jones.
Chesterfield set their stall out to avoid defeat and until Jones' late strike the plan was well on track. Oldham had looked the livelier in the first half but Chesterfield battled well to go in level at the interval. Ironically the winner came at a time when the Latics looked to have run out of ideas and impetus.
Sadly the Spireites, despite throwing the proverbial kitchen sink at Oldham, showed little incisiveness or invention and their challenge failed to seriously threaten. For Oldham the game ended in bright sunshine that matched their winning demeanour.
Both teams picked up a crucial point in the Easter Saturday fixtures and maintained their relative league positions. The five point gap in points gained may have looked a healthy breathing space but both managers were well aware that a couple of wins can totally change the picture.
Ex-Spireite boss John Sheridan had been keen to "lock horns" with his old club. After the point at Burton, Sheridan explained "I think a lot of people probably expected us to get beaten but I think we've shown we're a half-decent side." He'll have been hoping the Latics carried that impetus forward.
Danny Wilson pointed out that the Fleetwood game was "a very tense affair but thankfully, we came away with something." With just one defeat in eight outings the Spireites boss will have been hoping that run can be extended.
The Spireites boss chose to make two changes to the starting eleven: Ollie Banks and Chris Herd had to settle for a place on the bench as Jamal Campbell-Ryce and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake took their place.
It's very rarely warm in Oldham and Monday was no exception, the game starting in difficult conditions and rapidly giving way to driving rain.
The Spireites were soon under pressure as Oldham looked to take the early initiative. The impressive Aaron Amadi-Holloway was proving a handful and one teasing ball in from the right just failed to get a taker.
Gboly Ariyibi was first to register an effort from the right but his hopeful effort was high and wide.
Campbell-Ryce jinked well on the left and his ball in found the head of Ebanks-Blake whose back header was close but just over. Moments later Matthew Palmer almost caught Tommy Lee off guard, thankfully his speculative effort flew narrowly wide of the left upright.
Oldham continued to press and Holloway headed wide of the right post from a central position.
The game's first yellow card came after half an hour. Chris Main chased a through ball and Tom Anderson unceremoniously brought him down, thankfully other defenders were around to ensure the punishment wasn't more severe.
Moments later Jonathan Forte's angle pass to the far post just failed to find the feet of a lurking Holloway.
Ebanks-Blake broke and from the right bye-line fired across the face of goal, sadly there was no-one close enough to take advantage. The Spireites won a flag kick on the left and Campbell-Ryce's teasing dead ball forced Holmes-Dennis to head off the line.
Just before the interval Main's strong blast from 15 yards forced Lee into an alert save but, as the Spireites rearguard had fought well, parity at interval was just about the right status.
HT: 0-0
Oldham may have felt they should have made more of their possession in the first period but they looked to continue to push forward after the re-start. James Wilson laid back well for captain Liam Kelly but his rushed effort was wayward.
Ariyibi was looking promising; one teasing cross won a corner and another dangerous ball from the bye-line was claimed by the home keeper.
At the other end Curtis Main appealed in vain for a penalty, the loose ball was crossed to the head of Forte who headed wide from a gilt edged opening. Liam Kelly provided a great opening for Mike Jones, his header was equally poorly directed.
The Spireites made two quick subsitutions with Jay O'Shea and Jordan Slew replacing Campbell-Ryce and Ebanks-Blake. Initially, things looked livelier. Slew linked well with O'Shea on the left but the final ball was blocked. Ariyibi made a great run down the right and only a stunning intervention from Kelly stopped O'Shea from receiving in a dangerous position.
After 79 minutes Oldham took the lead. Mike Jones received, turned to the right and spotted an opening; his well struck low down shot from just outside the area found the bottom left corner.
1-0
Moments later substitute Timmy Thiele almost made it two with a superb half volley that Lee tipped to safety.
All of a sudden the Spireites had to up their game but the Latics were, by now, buzzing with confidence. There was no option but to throw caution to the wind and when six additional minutes were added it became The Alamo with every Chesterfield player forward.
Jay O'Shea's final effort flew wide and somehow Oldham survived to ensure a very different look to the League table. Danny Wilson's assessment that "poor decisions cost his side dearly in the final third" was correct. Let's hope for better choices in the forthcoming games.
FT: 1-0
Chesterfield:
Lee, O'Neil, Raglan, Anderson, Talbot, Campbell-Ryce (O'Shea, 56), Liddle, Hird, Ariyibi ( Orrell, 83), Ebanks Blake (Slew, 66)
Subs not used: Herd, Humphreys, Chapman, Banks
Oldham Athletic:
Coleman, J Wilson, B Wilson, Gerrard, Holmes-Dennis, Dieng, Kelly, Main, Palmer, Forte (Thiele, 72, Cassidy, 90+1), Holloway (Jones, 61)
Subs not used: Mills, Croft, Cornell, Winchester
Attendance: 4,483
Referee: Mr Tony Harrington
For more information and other CFC news, go to www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk
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