Chesterfield produced a dominant first half display but failed to find the back of the net in normal time against an organised and resolute Brackley side meaning the game was forced to penalties with the Spireites coming out victorious 4-3.
James Rowe made three changes to his starting eleven for the third round trophy clash. Will Evans, Liam Mandeville and Jonathan Smith came into the side to replace Curtis Weston, Akwasi Asante and Joel Taylor.
The Spireites had the chance to get their noses infront early on when Laurence Maguire tried his luck from range. Brackley ‘keeper Danny Lewis spilled his effort into the path of Scott Boden. The striker squared to Tom Whelan who took a touch and curled over the bar.
A few minutes later Whelan played a terrific through ball through to Mandeville but the Spireites Number 10 couldn’t beat the keeper.
Whelan threadead another ball through to Mandeville who this time, cut back to Boden but his tame effort on goal was gathered by the ‘keeper.
Just before the break, Ash Chambers recorded the best chance of the half for the visitors when he cut inside and let fly but his effort was deflected over for a corner.
Jak McCourt claimed the first chance of the second half when he drilled the ball goalwards, however his effort fell the wrong side of the post.
Chesterfield had a penalty appeal in the 50th minute when Whelan appeared to be dragged down in the area however man-in-the-middle Garreth Rhodes swiftly waved away the appeals.
The Saints grew in confidence in the second half and made life more difficult for Chesterfield. The Spireites’ best chance of the second half came in the 70th minute when Will Evan’s latched onto Joel Taylor’s teasing cross from the left. The skipper’s header looked destined to find the back of the net but Lewis kept it out of the net.
Evans was busy at the other end a few minutes later. Lee Ndlovu appeared to be through on goal but Evans got back to disposes him and divert the ball from danger.
With neither team managing to break the deadlock, the game had to be decided from the penalty spot.
The visitors took an early lead in the shootout after Shane Byrne scored following Boden’s miss but things evened up when Kyle Letheren denied Ethan Coleman who tried to dink it after Whelan sent Lewis the wrong way.
Weston, Asante and Maguire all dispatched of their penalties meaning it was down to Shep Murombedzi to keep the Brackley alive in the trophy but his weak penalty was saved by Letheren to send the Spireites through.
Chesterfield: (3-5-2) Letheren; Evans, Hollis, Maguire; Yarney (Taylor 60’), Smith (Weston 73’), McCourt, Whelan, Carline; Mandeville (Asante 57’) Boden
Unused subs: Tyler Denton, Cropper, Buchanan, Rowley
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