Match report: Chesterfield 3, Southend United 2

The unbeaten Spireites played the second half with a numerical disadvantage after Ollie Banks was dismissed on the stroke of half-time.

But hosts were still able to fight back from 2-1 down to condemn the Shrimpers to a second successive setback.

Before the drama unfolded, Blues wasted a big early chance to take the lead when Dan Mooney latched onto a poor pass from Jamie Grimes to find himself through on goal.

Missed an early chance - Dan Mooney

But, with just Chesterfield goalkeeper Lucas Covolan to beat, Mooney took the shot early and sent it wide of the left post when he should have done better.

In reply, Spireites striker Joe Quigley fired wide of the right post from the edge of the penalty area before the hosts came even closer to breaking the deadlock when Grimes clattered the ball against the crossbar from close range after a left wing corner from Jeff King.

Moments later, Chesterfield thought they had gone in front when Calvin Miller’s left wing cross was impressively fired home by Joe Quigley, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.

However, the hosts were not to be denied for long and they took the lead in the 19th minute when Liam Mandeville’s right wing cross picked out an unmarked Jack Clarke who turned sharply before scoring with a neatly taken shot.

But Southend hit back to equalise in the 33rd minute, with Powell on target for the third time this season.

The striker latched onto a loose ball just outside the penalty area and unleashed a well-struck shot Covolan could only push into the right hand side of the net.

Goal - Callum Powell celebrates his equaliser (Image: Focus Images)

Powell then saw another well-struck shot held by Covolan before Chesterfield replied with Mandeville seeing his goalbound effort impressively deflected over the crossbar by Ollie Kensdale.

But the game became even more eventful just before half-time when the hosts were reduced to 10 men following a poor challenge from Banks.

The midfielder was shown a straight red card for a high and late challenge on Gus Scott-Morris but referee David Richardson had initially waved play on which allowed Mooney to unleash a 25 yard shot which clipped the top of the crossbar on its way over.

However, Blues immediately made the most of their extra man and took the lead just 50 seconds into the second half with debutant Marcus Dackers sweeping the ball home in clinical fashion from 12 yards.

Get in - Marcus Dackers celebrates his goal (Image: FOCUS IMAGES)

Powell then saw a low, left footed shot smothered by Covolan before the Shrimpers were forced into a change in the 58th minute as Kacper Lopata limped off and was replaced by Louis Lomas.

After the enforced alteration, Blues wasted a decent chance to make it 3-1 when Powell sent Mooney’s pass over the crossbar from 12 yards.

The relieved Spireites immediately replied and drew back level in the 62nd minute when Quigley wrestled his way through before scoring with a low, left footed shot which entered the back of the net via the inside of the right post.

Things were soon to get even worse for Blues as Chesterfield went back in front just six minutes later as a swerving long range shot from King flew into the top left hand corner of the net.

Frustrated - Shrimpers defender Ollie Kensdale (Image: Focus Images)

Blues boss Kevin Maher immediately responded by bringing on both Jake Hyde and Jack Bridge and Hyde was immediately involved as he beat Covolan to Mooney’s through ball before being forced wide and seeing his shot saved.

The Shrimpers then threatened again at the death with Lomas seeing his close range header from Bridge’s left wing cross parried out by Covolan before Cav Miley fired the rebound over in the final action of a miserable evening.

Southend United: Andeng Ndi, Hobson, Lopata (Lomas 57), Kensdale, Scott-Morriss, Miley, Fonguck, Clifford (Bridge 77), Mooney, Dackers (Hyde 77), Powell.

Subs not used: Wreh & Demetriou.

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