In torrential rain at Spotland, Rai Simons was part of a youthful Chesterfield side slipped out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at the second round stage after a 2-1 loss to Rochdale.
Rochdale started the brighter and after 18 minutes had the lead. Left-bacK Scott Tanser burst into the box and struck low and with power but received some good fortune as a flicked deflection took the ball up and past Tommy Lee to hand the hosts the lead.
Midway through the second half and two goals came in a matter of moments. First substitute Sylvan Ebanks-Blake centered low and Ashley Eastham bundled into his own net, then from the restart Lewis Alessandra restored the home lead with a neat finish after Lee had saved well.
Chesterfield made five changes to the side that beat Crewe on Saturday. Drew Talbot, Dion Donohue, Armand Gnandulliet and Jake Orrell all came in, while Sam Hird returned to captained the side with Sam Morsy suspended.
Simons would have been in on goal but for a last ditch tackle, and Mani Dieseruwe was inches away from getting on the end of Ebanks-Blake’s teasing cross.
The hosts played out the game to claim the victory, and with it a place in the Northern Area quarter finals.
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