After 4 wins in a row, Spireites lose at Carlisle, after going 1 nil up. Ridehalgh and Trotman returned to the team after being cup-tied against Oldham, replacing Lowry and Ford. Lowry was on the bench along with new on loan signing Nicky Ajose.
With many matches called off up and down the country, it was a worry this one would be called off, luckily the pitch was fine and so the game could be played. Although the conditions were not brilliant, as a downpour arrived to make it tricky under foot. Carlisle started brightly winning 3 corners in the first 7 minutes. The Spireites started getting into the game, Ridehalgh found Talbot who turned and hit a shot which looked like the keeper had covered, only for the ball to slip under him and into the net. The score remained 1-0 at half time.
The second half Carlisle brought on Madden for Noble and changed the formation from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2, this seem to improve the team as they chased the game. Could the Spireites hold out, like they had at Oldham. Ajose came on for Boden to try and get the Spireites a goal and ease the pressure. It very nearly paid off, Davis passed the ball to Ajose, the keeper out to try and block him, so he took quick shot which just went wide. He then turned his defender inside out, only to see his effort cleared on the line by Murphy.
On the 73rd minute a Carlisle corner was headed in by Parker to level the match. Hurst tried a back pass to Tommy Lee, but because of the downpour the pitch had slowed down, so it failed to reach the keeper and Zoko pounced to score the winner.
The Spireites deserved something from the game, sadly it wasn't to be, and with the defeat returned to the bottom of the table. Next game is at home to Charlton, top v bottom, can the Spireites pull off a shock result? Let's hope so. Nicky Ajose looks a real handful hopefully his pace and skill will cause defences real problems and hopefully he can help lift us up the table to safety.
