The Blues’ final home clash before Christmas ended in defeat after Chesterfield struck either side of the break.
Mike Williamson made four changes from United’s 1-1 draw with Crewe Alexandra a fortnight ago - Jon Mellish, Josh Vela, Dylan McGeouch and Jordan Jones replaced Ben Barclay, Callum Guy, Ben Williams and Kadeem Harris.
Dilan Markanday fired the visitors in front midway through the first-half with a shot that flew under Gabe Breeze, before the Spireites’ skipper, Will Grigg, secured all three points for his side after finishing from close range with 15 minutes left to play.
The opening ten minutes provided no big chances in front of goal for either side as both got a feel for the contest in the early stages.
On 13 minutes, Dominic Sadi had the game’s first shot on target. After receiving the ball on the right from Dan Adu-Adjei, he drifted inside onto his left-foot and a low powerful drive forced Max Thompson into a smart save.
The Blues continued to push for the opener on 20 minutes after some great work down the left by Tyler Burey, but his resulting effort was lashed off target.
Five minutes later, it was Chesterfield who broke the deadlock against the run of play through Dilan Markanday after he drove into the box and slammed home underneath Gabe Breeze - that was the first goal Breeze had conceded in open play since entering the side on 9 November against Salford City.
Nine minutes before the interval, Burey was involved in front of the Spireites’ goal once again. A well-worked free-kick from Cameron Harper, found Adu-Adjei, whose pass set Burey but his effort was ultimately blocked.
As we approached half-time, the visitors looked more likely to find the next goal but the Blues managed to keep the deficit to one.
HALF-TIME: United 0-1 Chesterfield
Georgie Kelly replaced Josh Vela at the break after the midfielder was shown a yellow card in the first 45 following a strong challenge. Adu-Adjei moved to the right of the striker to accommodate the Blues’ number nine entering the action through the middle.
Ryan Colclough came close to doubling the visitors’ advantage soon after the restart. After a free-kick, he wriggled between a few Carlisle bodies before firing into Breeze’s side netting.
On the hour mark, the Cumbrians had a flurry of chances which culminated with Sadi’s cross from the right landing in the arms of Thompson as Williamson’s men continued their search for the leveller.
Substitute Georgie Kelly should’ve restored parity on 65 minutes. A ball from the left found the striker in the centre of Chesterfield’s area, but he nodded over the crossbar.
Ollie Banks’ strike from a long range free-kick saw everyone inside Brunton Park hold their breath, luckily it flew wide with just over 20 minutes of regular time left to play.
Will Grigg then had a brilliant chance to net Chesterfield’s second on 70 minutes after a low cross found him in the area, Breeze reacted brilliantly to save before Kelly blasted over seconds later at the opposite end.
On 75 minutes, a calamity of errors in United’s defensive third ended with Hayden’s touch providing Grigg with his second opportunity in five minutes and this time he would find the net, tapping home from close range.
In the time which remained, the only real attacking United chance to note was a header from Kelly following a corner, but Bailey Hobson managed to make the required block for Chesterfield.
FULL-TIME: United 0-2 Chesterfield
Teams:
Carlisle United - Breeze, Harper, Lavelle ©, Hayden, Jones (61’ Biggins), Adu-Adjei, Vela (46’ Kelly), McGeouch (61’ Guy), Mellish, Sadi, Burey (56’ Neal)
Unused subs - Randall, Williams, Barclay
Chesterfield - Thompson, Sheckleford, Williams (62’ Naylor), Araujo, Gordon (46’ Grimes), Banks, Mandeville, Markanday, Dobra (78’ Berry), Colclough (66’ Hobson), Grigg © (78’ Drummond)
Unused subs - Boot, Horton
Goals:
Carlisle United - N/A
Chesterfield - (25’ Markanday), (75’ Grigg)
Yellow cards:
Carlisle United - (32’ Vela), (53’ Kelly), (67’ Hayden)
Chesterfield - (52’ Grimes), (73’ Banks)
Red cards:
Carlisle United - N/A
Chesterfield - N/A
Match officials:
Referee - Scott Simpson
Assistant Referee - Graeme Fyvie
Assistant Referee - Simon Clayton
Fourth Official - Paul Newhouse
Attendance:
6,586 (558 away)
