Chesterfield 2 - 1 Rochdale

Rochdale remain without a point in League One after three penalties decided the outcome of this clash between two promoted sides from last season, but its injuries to three more key players that could cost Dale dear. Eoin Doyle twice scored from the spot for Chesterfield whilst Ian Henderson netted a stoppage time consolation. Matt Lund (suspected dislocated shoulder), Josh Lillis (ankle) and Scott Tanser (knee) all had to be replaced.

Keith Hill gave starts to both new signings Tom Kennedy and Stephen Dawson as he looked to get his side some points on the table.

Chesterfield, last season’s League Two champions, started the game very brightly and went close in the fifth minute. Doyle broke away down the right and from a very acute angle lifted the ball over Lillis but on to the top of the crossbar.

Ian Henderson warmed the hands of former Dale goalkeeper Tommy Lee with a 30 yard free kick.

At the other end Chesterfield again hit the woodwork. Bennett was caught in possession on the edge of the area with Doyle curling a super shot around Lillis but back off the far post; Doyle being foiled with a second attempt when Lillis tipped his shot around the post

Chesterfield were certainly in the ascendency and could have been out of sight by half time. O’Shea forced Lillis into a fine low save whilst Doyle was left frustrated by the Dale keeper who blocked another close range effort with his feet.

With seven minutes left before the interval, Chesterfield were awarded a penalty after Joe Rafferty tripped O’Shea. Doyle stepping up with a powerful spot kick.

Calvin Andrew almost immediately had the chance to level the score but his header was off target. A perfect cross by Done down the left was met by Andrew but the big striker’s header went just over.

With seconds remaining of the first half, Matt Lund had to go off with a shoulder injury that looks like it will keep the midfield talisman out for a number of weeks.

The second half was much of the same with Chesterfield very much on top.

An uncharacteristic mistake by Henderson gave the ball to Sam Morsy who rattled the woodwork for a third time with a fierce shot. Dale keeper Josh Lillis injured an ankle during the scramble and was stretchered off, his replacement being 16-year-old Jony Diba, a product of the Rochdale AFC academy.

Dale then lost a third player to injury in Scott Tanser. The young defender has been a revelation since forcing his way into the first team but left the field just after the hour mark after challenging Gary Roberts.

Diba, making his debut, almost saw red three minutes after coming on when he handled the ball outside of the area. Referee Boyeson took quite some time before producing a yellow card as he didn’t deem the infringement intentional. The young stopper subsequently saved the free kick.

Chesterfield were awarded another penalty when Bennett tangled with Doyle inside the area, with the striker dusting himself off to net his second of the game.

Diba denied Doyle a hat-trick when he raced off his line to close him down.

Dale were awarded a penalty of their own deep into seven minutes of added time, Henderson making no mistake from 12 yards with virtually the last kick of the game.

Keith Hill didn’t want to point fingers at any individual after the game and praised his team’s commitment when they could have crumbled.

Hill has a big job on his hands between now and Tuesday when Rochdale travel to Crewe Alexander for their third league game of the season.

One or two new faces could be brought in to help bolster his depleted squad.

Attendance: 5,682 (405 from Rochdale)

Rochdale: Lillis (Diba 60), Rafferty, Bennett, Tanser (Donnelly 64), Kennedy, Lund (Hery 46), Dawson, Henderson (c), Bunney, Done, Andrew
Subs: (not used) Eastham, Allen, Logan, Camps

Chesterfield: Lee, Darikwa, Evatt (c), Hird, Jones, Ryan (Onovwigun 90), Morsy, Boco (Banks 90), Roberts, O’Shea (Gnanduillet 85), Doyle
Subs: (not used) Chapman, Raglan, Johnson, Dawes

Referee: Mr C Boyeson
Assistant Referees: Mr A Fox & Mr S Ruston
Fourth Official: Miss L Rashid