Spireites match report: Torquay United 2 Chesterfield 1

Joss Labadie put the Gulls ahead before Howe doubled the host’s advantage within the first ten minutes at Plainmoor.

Liam Cooper gave the visitors hope 13 minutes from time but the Spireites were unable to find an equaliser.

It was the first time since the 2-1 defeat to Wycombe on January 5 that Chesterfield have conceded more than once in a game.

The Spireites remain eight points adrift of seventh-placed Rotherham in the League Two play-off spots with just seven games remaining.

Paul Cook’s men welcome Plymouth Argyle to the Proact Stadium on Saturday knowing three points are needed to keep their promotion hopes alive.

Spireites: Lee; Brindley, Trotman, Cooper, Townsend; Togwell, Hird (c); Darikwa, O’Shea, Talbot; Richards

Subs: Barrington, Clark, Randall, Henshall, Whitaker, Lester

Gulls: Poke; Oastler, Saah, Mansell (c), Jarvis, Howe, MacDonald, Cruise, Labadie, Chapell, Benyon

Subs: Rice; Nicholson, Lathrope, Leadbitter, Macklin, Stevens, Craig

For more on the Spireites pick up this week’s Derbyshire Times - out Thursday!