Walsall | The Saddlers take charge against Chesterfield

Chesterfield 0 - 2 Walsall

Walsall brushed aside the disappointment of a stuttering end to the League Two campaign to claim a first-leg victory away at Chesterfield in their play-off semi-final.

Author - Peter Grainger

Stadium/Location - SMH Group Stadium

Having dropped from top spot to fourth after winning only three of their final 21 league fixtures, Mat Sadler’s side responded in the best possible fashion. Taylor Allen gave the visitors the lead from the penalty spot after Liam Gordon was brought down by Liam Mandeville, and Alfie Chang doubled the advantage with a powerful low strike from the edge of the area before half-time.

Chesterfield applied pressure after the break but could not find a breakthrough. Tommy Simkin denied Tom Naylor and Aribim Pepple with two sharp saves, while Ash Palmer’s header came back off the crossbar.

Walsall will now look to finish the job when the two sides meet again at the Bescot Stadium on Friday.

The result came as a shock to many, given Chesterfield’s momentum heading into the play-offs. Paul Cook’s side had taken more points than any other team in the division over the final 13 matches to snatch seventh place from Salford City on the final day.

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Walsall, by contrast, endured a painful conclusion to the regular season. Their narrow win at Crewe Alexandra on the last weekend had briefly lifted them into the automatic promotion places, only for Bradford City’s late winner against Fleetwood to deny them third spot.

Chesterfield began brightly, dominating possession and threatening early on through Ryan Colclough, whose low effort tested Simkin. But Walsall struck with their first real opportunity, Allen converting from the spot after Mandeville’s misjudged challenge.

The visitors struck again when the home defence failed to clear Gordon’s low cross and Chang, scoring his first professional goal, drilled a fierce shot beyond the reach of Harry Tyrer.

The hosts pushed forward in the second half and forced Walsall onto the back foot, but could not convert their dominance into a goal. With Simkin in solid form and the defence standing firm, Walsall will take a commanding lead into the return leg.