Aldershot Town dropped further down the table as they were beat 2-0 by Chesterfield at the EBB Stadium, with former Shots defender Will Evans scoring both the Spireite’s goals.
Shots boss Gary Waddock made three changes with Lewis Kinsella missing his first game since joining the club last year and Matt McClure and Reece Grant all making way for debutant John Goddard and Luke Howell and Regan Booty also returning.
The hosts enjoyed the better performance of a quiet first half, with chances for both sides at a premium. Shots did have breakthroughs a couple of times from McDonagh but he fired over on both occasions.
Howell then went close late in the half after Booty’s corner fell perfectly onto his foot to volley at goal from 10-yards out but it flashed just over Shwan Jalal’s goal.
The first goal of the game then followed just two minutes later just before half time. A corner was swung in and met by the unchallenged head of Evans who nodded past Will Mannion from close range.
Aldershot failed to muster up a rallying response in the second half. Spireites captain Jonathan Smith drew a good save from Mannion’s leg and ex-Premier League striker Marc-Antoine Fortune blasted over the rebound.
Bradley Barry then ran through the Shots half unopposed before firing an effort at Mannion’s goal from 25-yards, but the Hull City loanee did well to tip it round the post.
Smith should’ve doubled Chesterfield’s lead on 70 minutes after some good work on the right from Barry saw him cut back his cross to Smith who had plenty of time, but he fired his shot wide.
The introduction of December Player of the Month Reece Grant saw an increase in attacking impetus from the Shots forcing a save from Jalal from a tight angle and an important block from Evans just minutes later.
Shots best chance came from the resulting corner. Booty swung it in and it was headed clear to Goddard on the edge of the area who smashed a rasping effort at goal only to see Jalal brilliantly deny it from heading into the top corner by tipping it wide.
Former Shots defender Evans then doubled his tally and his sides lead on 78 minutes. Barry worked well on the right again to cross low for Fortune, his point-blank effort was stopped by Mannion but Evans was there to poke in the rebound and send the 303 travelling Chesterfield supporters home happy.
ALDERSHOT TOWN: Mannion, McCoy (Lelan 81), Bernard, Finney, Booty, McDonnell (McClure 83), Gallagher, Howell (Grant 63), Goddard, Wanadio, McDonagh.
Sub not used: Bozier.
By Chris Woods
