Chesterfield move 22 points clear at top of National League after battling win against Dagenham & Redbridge – report
In-form James Berry fired the Spireites ahead after half an hour but Ryan Hill equalised just after half-time.
Ollie Banks had a chance to quickly put Town back in the lead but he struck a penalty against the crossbar.
But Armando Dobra scrambled home from close-range on 75 minutes to secure a seventh successive league win for the Blues and extend their lead at the top.
This was also their 11th away victory of the season, just one shy of equalling a club record 12. It takes them to an impressive 80 points and if they keep up their relentless form then they could be in with a shout of beating Wrexham’s 111 point record for the division.
But either way, there is no doubt that Chesterfield are heading back to the Football League in style.
The Chesterfield line-up was much-changed from the win against Eastleigh on Saturday. There were six changes with Jeff King, Ash Palmer, Mike Jones, Dobra, Banks and Joe Quigley replacing Ryheem Sheckleford, Tyrone Williams, Tom Naylor, Michael Jacobs. Liam Mandeville and Will Grigg. Summer signing Bailey Hobson was named in the squad for the first time this season and he made his debut late on.
Two positive results on the road for Dagenham, who had the second worst home record in the division before kick-off, had moved them up the table and away from the relegation zone.
Second-placed Bromley were not in action and manager Andy Woodman took a watching brief at this game ahead of Chesterfield’s visit to Hayes Lane later next month. Also taking in this clash was Ebbsfleet United’s interim boss Danny Searle, who will be bringing his side to Derbyshire this weekend.
It was a scrappy first-half in wet and windy conditions but Chesterfield led at half-time thanks to Berry’s sixth goal of the season.
There was a half chance for Dobra in the first five minutes but he hooked the ball over the bar after some smart link-up play between Bailey Clements and Berry down the left.
