Ched Evans nets only goal as Fleetwood beat Chesterfield

Evans struck in the 14th minute as Matt Lawlor’s men saw off the Spireites in front of 1,619 fans at Highbury.

Former Spireite Evans chased down a loose ball back to Ryan Boot, got there first and rounded the keeper from the edge of the box to convert.

Chesterfield quickly searched for a leveller and Lewis Gordon fired over from 10 yards with a volley after 19 minutes before Lee Bonis did likewise 10 minutes later.

Town were denied a second four minutes from the break when debutant Kane Thompson-Sommers slipped Will Davies in behind the Chesterfield defence, but Boot got down quickly.

Bonis was again denied an equaliser early in the second half, hitting the bar with a header after 51 minutes.

The travelling fans grew increasingly frustrated with referee Martin Coy as the second half progressed, particularly when Josh Koroma was booked after 69 minutes for a dive.

They remained mostly dominant on the pitch throughout, but were unable to break down their hosts, with substitute Danny Anisjko volleying over from inside the box in added time.