In what was a close knit affair despite the full-time scoreline, our League Two opposition came out in high spirits as they went ahead on 12 minutes through Joel Randall.
A 16th minute equaliser from Xavier Parker, however, would stun the home fans before Fraser Bryden restored the hosts’ lead.
Teddie Lamb did what he does best as he slid Finlay Gorman’s cross past James Sissons to haul Oliver Reiss’ side deservedly level.
Chey Dunkley headed the Spireites back in front on the 50-minute mark before Junior Eccleston and Louie Marsh put the hosts firmly in the driving seat.
Jake Wain scored his first EFL Trophy goal in added time in what was the final act as we fell to a 5-3 defeat.
What happened
The Blues kicked off as the sun set in Chesterfield, looking to return to winning ways after a 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest in the PL2 in what was the last outing for our Under-21s.
City started bright in our third meeting with the Spireites as we looked to continue our unbeaten record against the hosts.
Chesterfield, however, came racing out the blocks as they looked to find a way through our defence.
And despite Brooklyn Nfonkeu’s best efforts, Joel Randall eventually tapped home from close range inside 15 minutes.
Almost immediately, City bounced back as we found an equaliser through Xavier Parker, but the young boys in blue didn’t stop there as Finlay Gorman fired a header into the palms of James Sissons moments later.
It was non-stop at the SMH Group Stadium as Fraser Bryden tucked the ball past Max Chabot to throw the game wide open.
It really could have gone either way and after drawing 1-1 and 2-2 with our opponents in the 2017/18 and 2024/25 campaigns, there was no doubt it was going to become a close affair.
As we raced past the 30-minute mark the tempo of the game finally seemed to subside before Gorman whipped the ball into Teddie Lamb to haul us level.
Max Chabot pulled of a beautiful diving save with minutes to go until the half-time whistle, as he palmed away Kiano Dyer’s rocket of a shot from outside the box.
Unsurprisingly, the second half continued in the same spritely efforts from both sides as Chey Dunkley headed home direct from a corner.
The game eventually calmed down on the hour but with both teams pushing for another goal you felt it wouldn’t be long before the net rippled again.
Despite City’s best efforts, Junior Eccleston helped his side claim a two-goal advantage before Louie Marsh added a fifth.
Oliver Reiss’ side would have the final say as Jake Wain fired his shot into the top-left corner in stoppage time in a defeat our young Blues will have learnt plenty from.
And our EDS will look to take those lessons into our final group game against Port Vale, with a spot in the knockout stage of the EFL Trophy still up for grabs.
Teams
Chesterfield XI | Sissons, Naylor (C) (Cook 75’), Bryden, Pond, Anisjko (Gordon 84’), Dunkley, Eccleston (Hutton 79’), Dyer, Lamptey, Randall (Marsh 46’), Pearce
Subs | Markanday, Koroma, Whitney
City XI | Chabot, Nfonkeu, Courtman (Parker 84’), Noble (C), Henderson-Hall, Fapetu (Miles) , Wain, Gorman (Oliver 75’), Lamb (Tevenan 84’), Parker, Midwood (Dunbar-McDonald 62’)
Subs | Hudson, Barrett
What it means
City sit second in Group D with Chesterfield leap frogging us due to goal difference.
In the EFL Trophy, the top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage.
Up next
Oliver Reiss’ side return to Premier League 2 action as we travel to Tottenham at the SPORTA Arena on Saturday 19 September.
Kick-off is scheduled for 13:00 (UK) and the game will be available to watch live on CITY +.
