Jack Lester hails Chesterfield’s spirit after draw with Morecambe

Posted Wednesday, April 11, 2018 by PA

Chesterfield boss Jack Lester praised his side’s spirit after they came from two goals down to seal what could be a vital point in their quest for survival.

League Two’s bottom club showed fight after a disappointing first 45 minutes that ended with them 2-0 down, battling back to secure a 2-2 draw.

Lester said: “At 2-0 down we had to do something at the break and we made two changes by bringing on Chris O’Grady and George Smith and went more direct and it paid off.

“We always thought that if we got one we could go on and get two and in the end we are all a bit disappointed that we didn’t get the third to make it the perfect comeback but that point could be vital come the end of the season.

“Goals change games and Kristian Dennis scored an absolute cracker to get us back into the game and we just got stronger from there.

“The lads showed a lot of fight and spirit and I thought it was a fantastic battling performance. The lads gave absolutely everything which is all we can ask for and we could have pinched it at the end.’’

Morecambe manager Jim Bentley said he had mixed emotions after the game.

He said: “I don’t really know what to think to be honest.

“I’m happy that we got the point and happy with some of our play but not happy with the way we let a two-goal lead slip.

“Chesterfield had a lot of possession in the first half but we looked really sharp on the break and when we got a two-goal lead, looked set for the win.

“But I have to give Chesterfield credit as they changed their style of play in the second half and went long, using the strength of Chris O’Grady and it paid off for them.

“We didn’t defend particularly well, which is unlike us, and it was certainly a nervous finale but a point takes us a step closer to safety.”

Morecambe took the lead in the 17th minute after a well-worked free kick.

Adam McGurk played in Michael Rose to his left and the Morecambe skipper put in a dangerous cross which was met by Garry Thompson who headed past Aaron Ramsdale at the far post.

Morecambe added a second when young striker Callum Lang chased down a loose ball and showed more resolve than the visitors’ back line to get a free run on goal that ended with a cool finish under the stranded Ramsdale.

Chesterfield pulled one back through top scorer Kristian Dennis on 55 minutes when he struck a stunning volley past Daniel Nizic from the left hand side of the box.

The visitors then took charge and deservedly added a second with 15 minutes to go. Ramsdale drove a free kick into the Morecambe box and the ball was headed into the danger area for Andy Kellett to smash a half-volley past Nizic from 12 yards out.