Chesterfield: Spireites did the ugly side well, says Cook

Chesterfield boss Paul Cook said his promotion-chasing side did the ‘ugly’ side of football well in their defeat of Dagenham and Redbridge.
Manager Paul Smith gives his team directions during the second halfManager Paul Smith gives his team directions during the second half
Manager Paul Smith gives his team directions during the second half

Eoin Doyle’s 13th goal of the season, helped by a battling Spireites performance, saw Cook’s men edge past the Daggers at Victoria Road on Easter Monday.

Chesterfield have caught the eye of many this season with the way they have went about trying to reach their ambitions of reaching League One.

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And, with a top three place almost assured, the Chesterfield manager said he was pleased for his players. “A week is a long time in football,” he said. “We spoke about the importance of the game and the importance of what it means to the club.

“Most importantly we’ve done the ugly side of football well, we wanted to see lads work very hard.

“You’ve seen Marc Richards and Dan Gardner come off having given everything for the cause. Sometimes the harder you work the luckier you get. In our willingness to be the best team in the league we’ve just lost that edge at times, that little bit of competitiveness.”

He added: “We were deserved winners, we carried more threat, we were solid out of possession.”

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Doyle’s volley was all that separated the two teams in an end-to-end match.

His fourth goal in five games maintained Spireites’ position two points behind leaders Scunthorpe United.

Chesterfield, more importantly, moved three points clear of fourth-placed Fleetwood Town, who visit the Proact Stadium on the last day of the season.

But Spireites will not get too ahead of themselves with a trip to neighbours, and play-off contenders, Burton Albion to come on Sunday.

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“It’s a good day for us, the season goes on,” Cook added. “We go to Burton next week backed by massive support.

“We’re doing our best to try and get us promoted and all we need is everyone behind us. If we give them what we have over the past season in my opinion, I’m sure we’ll get over the line together.”