
Despite taking the lead twice, Chesterfield failed to secure any points against play-off-hopefuls Eastleigh.
John Sheridan named an unchanged line-up from Tuesday night’s 3-1 win against bottom-of-the-table Braintree, with Charlie Carter making his first full home debut since 25 September.
The first chance came early on for the visitors when Chris Zebroski’s shot from the left flew wide of goal.
Zebroski found another chance to take the lead after advancing towards goal but Spireites 'keeper Schwan Jalal came out, putting him under pressure and forcing his shot wide.
After a slow start, it was the home side who took the lead in the 34th minute when Ellis Chapman’s free-kick found Will Evans who headed it across to Haydn Hollis, allowing him to tap it into the back of the net from a yard or two out.
A few minutes later Evans made a promising run from his own half towards goal but he was hacked down by Andrew Boyce, who received a yellow card for the offence.
The Hampshire side found their equaliser in the closing minutes of the half when the National League's second highest scorer Paul McCallum netted his 22nd of the season, after finding the end of Zebroski’s cross to head in at the back post.
As the second half got underway Sheridan’s side started the better, with Scott Boden finding the end of Chapman’s low cross to slot it past Spitfires 'keeper Luke Southwood, allowing the Spireites to take the lead for the second time.
But once again Eastleigh found their way back into the game; this time in the 60th minute, through Boyce who headed into the net inside the six-yard box to level.
Scorer McCallum had the chance to put his side ahead a few minutes later with a header which was just off target.
A long ball from Robbie Weir gave Tom Denton a chance to get a winner, but his header flew wide.
It was the visitors who found the winner in the 83rd minute. The Chesterfield midfield opened up to allow Joe Jones let fly from distance, putting the Spitfires into the lead for the first time in the game.
Post-Match Verdict | Home form continues to be a worry
After winning four out of five away games, the Spireites just can’t seem to replicate their great away form at The Proact.
In his post-match press conference, Sheridan said: "maybe some players are more nervous in front of our home fans".
After taking the lead twice in the game it was astounding how Chesterfield couldn’t get anything out of the game. The substitutions of Weir and Carter left the midfield vulnerable, and ultimately allowed Jones through on goal to grab that winner for Eastleigh.
However, with the two away games of Bromley and Havant and Waterlooville coming up next week it is a good opportunity for the Spireites to bounce back from this disappointing performance and get some points to climb further away from the drop zone.
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