REPORT: Spireites come from behind to beat Weymouth 2-1

James Rowe started life as Chesterfield manager by claiming a huge three points with a 2-1 win away at Weymouth.

The home side broke the deadlock on 39 minutes with a Sam Shields wonder-strike but Akwasi Asante levelled on the stroke of half time, to allow Tom Denton to claim all three points in the second-half with a bullet header.

The Spireites started the game energetically, not allowing the home side much time on the ball.

Denton and new boy Asante linked up well from the off and nearly opened the scoring a few times in the early stages.

In the 13th minute Denton flicked on to his new strike partner, who squeezed a shot on goal from a tight angle but Terras’ ‘keeper Gerard Benfield got down well to parry the ball for a corner.

Not long after, Asante looked destined to find the back of the net but 18-year-old Benfield denied the in-form striker once again.

In the 24th minute Joe Rowley fired a free-kick straight into the four-man Weymouth wall but the rebound fell to David Buchanan who swung the ball in to the back post where Will Evans poked over.

The home side grew into the game and found a breakthrough in the 39th minute when Shields found the top corner of the net with a tremendous strike from the edge of the area.

The Terras went hunting for a second and put the Spireites under pressure in the later stages of the half but Chesterfield responded well and found an equaliser moments before the break.

A long ball up to Denton was knocked down to Asante who swivelled to fire into the far corner, scoring on his debut.

The first real chance of the second half fell to the visitors in the 58th minute. Substitute Liam Mandeville’s free-kick fell to Asante who forced a superb save from Benfield.

The Spireites took the lead on the hour mark when Jordan Cropper delivered the perfect cross to the onrushing Denton who powered his header into the back of the net.

Weymouth nearly had the chance to equalise when Shields looked through on goal but Curtis Weston somehow got back to win the ball.

The Spireites managed to see the game out and claim a much-needed three points.

Chesterfield (3-5-2): Letheren; Evans, Hollis, Maguire; Cropper (Yarney 80'), Smith, Weston, Rowley (Mandeville 56'), Buchanan; Asante (Boden 64'), Tom Denton.

Substitutes (not used): Addai, Tyler Denton