Spireites spurred

Chesterfield manager Dean Saunders.

DEAN Saunders was taking nothing for granted before his Chesterfield side picked up a fourth win in their last five outings.

The Spireites — often Athletic’s superiors in knock-out duels in recent years — landed an FA Cup second-round date at home to Walsall thanks to an emphatic 4-1 win in a potentially tricky tie at FC United.

Goals on the night came through Gboly Ariyibi, Lee Novak, Rai Simons and Oli Banks, with Luke Ashworth’s effort in the 90th minute only a consolation in the televised clash.

“We’re through,” a relieved Saunders said after the game at the brand new £6.5million home of FC United at Broadhurst Park. “It was a difficult game.

“The cameras were at the game for an upset, so we were on our guard and started the game off very well.

“It was probably that start that gave us the win and enabled us to have a comfortable night.

“We were on a hiding to nothing. We won 4-1 and we ‘should’ have beaten them by scoring four. That’s what everyone will say.

“But I’ve been in football a long time and these games are not easy.

“Their fans were magnificent, bouncing behind the goal. It was like a Championship match.”

play-offs

Saunders is now able to concentrate again on league matters, with Chesterfield in 11th place in the division and four points away from the play-offs.

While recent form overall has been promising, the Spireites do appear to be vulnerable at home.

Their last outing at the Proact Stadium was a 3-0 loss to Scunthorpe and the home game before that — a victory by the same score against Southend — was the club’s first at the venue since the opening day of the season.