Chesterfield escaped relegation with a nervy final-day victory over nine-man Fulham at Saltergate this afternoon.
The Blues edged to safety after Mansfield Town, Aldershot and Grimsby Town all drew whilst Rotherham United were beaten. Chesterfield went through a day of drama that began when Jamie Hewitt missed a sixth-minute penalty awarded after Dave Weller’s shot was handled by Gary Elkins. Weller, who had missed a vital spot-kick last time out, handed the responsibility over to Hewitt but the defender dragged his shot wide – meaning Chesterfield had missed four of their nine penalties this season.
But the right back didn’t let the disappointment of failing from twelve yards linger for long. He played a key part in the only goal of the game that arrived just four minutes later. Hewitt’s hanging cross from the right was superbly headed on by Andy Morris for the clinical Waller to thump his 22nd goal of the season.
Fulham struggled to create too many chances in response, with Welsh striker Gordon Davies stabbing wide from inside the penalty area just before the interval. They were more physical after the break but that counted against the Cottagers, with midfielder Peter Scott going in the book for a late challenge on Hewitt before Davies joined him after an off-the-ball altercation with Darren Wood, who was also cautioned.
Tempers boiled over in the 73rd minute when Davies was dismissed for an aggressive tackle on Paddy McGeeney. Hopkins was also given his marching orders alongside Fulham’s assistant manager Jack Burkett for their prolonged protests at what looked a fair decision – as the visitors lost their collective composure. You could have been forgiven for thinking there was as much riding on the result for Fulham as for their relegation-threatened hosts. The Londoners were furious that McGeeney was unpunished for a first half elbow that saw centre back Keith Oakes eventually substituted with a broken cheekbone – but there was no excuse for their lack of discipline.
Jim Stannard was fortunate to escape being the third Whites player sent for an early bath, when he was only cautioned for bringing down Morris as the forward looked the favourite to double Chesterfield’s lead.
CHESTERFIELD: Brown; Wood, Hewitt, Henderson, McGeeney, Hunter, Coyle, Alleyne, Waller, Benjamin, Morris. Subs (not used): Bloomer, Eley.
GOAL: Waller (10).
FULHAM: Stannard; Oakes (Greaves 73), Eckhardt, Hopkins, Elkins, Marshall, Scott, Barnett, Walker, Cole, Davies. Subs (not used): Skinner.
BOOKED: Scott, Davies, Stannard.
SENT OFF: Davies, Hopkins.
REFEREE: Jim Parker (Preston)
ATTENDANCE: 3,084.
