Chesterfield 2 Barnsley 1: Doyle makes Barnsley pay for their mistakes

Barnsley’s manager Danny Wilson was left to lament two defensive lapses from his side which were both punished by Eoin Doyle and sent them tumbling to defeat.
Chesterfield v Barnsley - Ian Evatt and Sam Winnall contest a header - Pic By James WilliamsonChesterfield v Barnsley - Ian Evatt and Sam Winnall contest a header - Pic By James Williamson
Chesterfield v Barnsley - Ian Evatt and Sam Winnall contest a header - Pic By James Williamson

Doyle’s goals, one in each half, enabled Chesterfield to halt a run of seven league games without a win against their in-form visitors.

“We’ve been done by two poor goals from our defensive point of view,” bemoaned Wilson.

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“It’s basic defending and that’s what’s cost us, really. We’ve had enough opportunities in the game, especially in the second half to get something back.

“Overall we can’t be too disappointed with the performance, but the two goals we conceded cost us the game.”

Chesterfield took the lead on 42 minutes when Sam Clucas headed on for Doyle to chip a shot over Ross Turnbull for his 18th goal of the season.

The Spireites doubled their lead just short of the hour mark.

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Doyle took possession on the left edge of the box before neatly manoeuvring the ball onto his right foot to slam home from 15 yards.

Barnsley’s Sam Winnall had a header cleared off the line, before setting up Keith Treacy, who scored from six yards, his first for the club.

It sparked a late rally from Barnsley and the visitors piled forward in search of an equaliser, ultimately in vain.

“I thought it was a good game,” added Wilson. “It’s never the best when you don’t win, obviously, but it was a good game and I thought both teams gave it a good go.

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“The first 25 minutes or so, Chesterfield got us on the back foot and I thought (Gary) Roberts was outstanding during that period.

“We wrestled back into the game and we started the second half really well but then we conceded.”

Chesterfield manager Paul Cook said: “I thought we played well. I thought out of possession we were very good, because Barnsley are a free-scoring team with a lot of threats. We restricted them to very few chances which was pleasing.

“What happens with a defeat or two, it’s the clamour for change and we’ve got to fix things and, at a club like ours, we’ve got to make sure we take small steps forward.”

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Chesterfield: Lee, Darikwa, Evatt, Raglan, Jones, Banks (Humphreys 60), Clucas (Margreitter 90), Ryan, O’Shea (Gnanduillet 80), Roberts, Doyle. Unused substitutes: Gardner, Boco, Ariyibi, Wright.

Barnsley: Turnbull, Cranie, Ramage, Nyatanga, Dudgeon (Lita 90), Berry, Bailey (Trotta 63), Hourihane, Hemmings (Treacy 66), Cole, Winnall. Unused substitutes: Davies, Digby, Mvoto, Abbott.

Referee: A Marriner (W Midlands).