Chesterfield lost for the first time during this pre-season as a Michael Smith penalty gave League One Rotherham United a slender 2-1 win at the Proact Stadium.
John Sheridan fielded a strong side including the likes of Anthony Gerrard, David Buchanan and Liam Mandeville all making their home debuts.
The opening exchanges saw the sides evenly matched with both teams having chances to take early leads.
Buchanan showed his crossing ability early on, whipping in a teasing ball that just evaded the head of the onrushing Joe Rowley.
Carlton Morris was awarded with the first chance for the visitors. His shot was from the edge of the area was skewed wide of the mark.
The Millers' new record signing Freddie Ladapo caused some problems in the first 20 minutes; he saw one effort saved by Shwan Jalal at close range and another effort fired into the side netting.
On the 26th minute, the away side took the lead. Gerrard turned a Daniel Barlaser in-swinging cross past Jalal and into his own net.
However, just three minutes later the hosts were level. Lewis Price could only parry Rowley's stinging shot out to Will Evans, who fired home into the top left-hand corner.
Parity was restored for all of five minutes. Danny Middleton pointed to the spot after Evans chopped down Morris in the area. Smith took the spot kick and buried the ball into the bottom corner.
Sheridan made a few changes at half time with Robbie Weir, Josef Yarney and Luke Coddington replacing Curtis Weston, Jonathan Smith and Jalal respectively.
The home side exhibited some fantastic counter-attacking football. One such instance saw some beautiful, flowing play that was brought to an end after the assistant raised his flag as Scott Boden was offside.
Chances continued to flow in the way of the Spireites. Gerrard fired a rocket of a shot just over the var of the Rotherham goal.
Substitute Jack McKay was unlucky not to pull Chesterfield level. The striker was put through on goal, but he rolled the ball onto the foot of the post before it bounced away from goal.
The League One side controlled the last ten minutes to secure a pre-season win at the Proact. The only effort of note late on was Coddington getting down well to deny Kyle Vassell.
Chesterfield: Jalal (Coddington 46), J. Smith (c) (Yarney 46), Evans, Gerrard (Sharman 74), Hollis, Buchanan (Sheridan 74), Weston (Weir 46), Maguire (Wedgbury 74), Rowley (McKay 61), Mandeville (Wakefield 74), Boden (Shaw 74).
Attendance: 1,675 (626 away)
Post-Match Comments: Sheridan pleased with the Spireites
Despite the result not going Chesterfield's way, Sheridan was very pleased with how his side played.
Mandeville and Rowley were players that played an important part in the Spireites flowing football.
Trialists Jake Bennett and Anthony Spyrou were both missing from the squad today. The manager revealed that the latter wasn't their due to family issues.
Sheridan also revealed that he wants two players in attacking areas, but is comfortable in all other areas. He hopes to have those players in by the Burton game.
Chesterfield now turn their attention to Tuesday night where they welcome Premier League new boys, Sheffield United.
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