Chesterfield 3 York City 0: Minstermen gift hosts late Christmas presents

Following a first half in which the visitors had been the stronger side, Chesterfield secured victory with three goals from Drew Talbot, Danny Whitaker and Tendayi Darikwa after the break and the first two were pretty much gift-wrapped.

York goalkeeper Michael Ingham was required to make two fine saves from Jay O’Shea’s rising drive and a Sam Hird header.

Former West Ham attacker Luis Boa Morte also fired over from 12 yards on the stroke of half-time but, in between, Chris Smith, Michael Potts and Matty Blair all had chances to give York the lead.

It was the Spireites, though, who forged ahead courtesy of Talbot’s first goal of the season within a minute of the restart.

The right-back was left free to attack Mark Randall’s free-kick and beat an exposed Ingham from eight yards.

Chesterfield went on to put the outcome beyond doubt with two goals in as many minutes.

First, on 75 minutes, Whitaker drilled a low shot past Ingham after being teed up by Talbot.

Then, Whitaker turned provider after he intercepted a poor back pass by Chris Smith and, when Boa Morte could not find an inviting net, Darikwa swept the ball past Ingham when it broke.

Spirited City searched for a way back but Blair missed from six yards, Chris Smith’s header was pushed on to the bar and Paddy McLaughlin’s 20-yard stoppage-time effort was well saved.

Chesterfield: Lee, Talbot, Hird, Cooper, Smith, Darikwa, Togwell, Randall (Clay, 61), O’Shea, Townsend (Whitaker 75), Boa Morte (Dickenson 84). Unused substitutes: O’Donnell, Boden, Wafula, Trotman.

York City: Ingham, Parslow, C Smith, Doig (Allan 79), Fyfield, Potts (Oyebanjo 79), Kerr, McLaughlin, Blair, Walker, Rodman (Reed 67). Unused substitutes: Musselwhite, McGurk, Bullock, J Smith.

Referee: C Sarginson (Staffordshire).