Chesterfield goalkeeper Ryan Boot can not keep Jayden Luker's shot from crossing the line for Notts CountyShutterstock

Jayden Luker's goal for Notts County came with their only shot on target in the whole match

Ian Woodcock
BBC Sport England

Notts County will take a one-goal lead into the second leg of their League Two play-off semi-final with Chesterfield.

The home side had a great chance to take the lead after five minutes when Liam Mandeville was fouled in the area by Lucas Ness but Lee Bonis sent his low penalty against the foot of the post.

Jayden Luker put the away side in front with a finish at the back post from Tom Iorpenda's ball across the face of goal.

The Spireites had a greater share of possession for the final hour but James Belshaw's save from Tom Pearce's free-kick was as close as they came to an equaliser.

Martin Paterson's men will now look to finish the job when they host the second leg at Meadow Lane on Friday (20:00 BST).

Both of this season's League Two play-off semi-final first legs have been won by the away side, after Salford City claimed a 2-1 victory at Grimsby Town earlier on Sunday.

Magpies pinch precious win

Notts County finished one place and one point above Chesterfield in the Championship table.

However, Paul Cook's side had won both of the league meetings between the sides this season and had a perfect opportunity to get off to an ideal start when Mandeville was fouled in the area but Bonis was unable to take advantage as his penalty hit the right post as Belshaw dived to his left.

The visitors took the lead when Iorpenda caught Ryan Stirk in possession 30 yards from goal and then exchanged a one-two with striker Alassana Jatta before crossing low for Luton loanee Luker to score despite Ryan Boot's best efforts in the home goal.

The Spireites had only failed to score in three of 23 games this calendar year prior to Sunday but they never managed to put the County goal under sustained pressure.

For their part Paterson's side remained compact out of possession and came up with timely interventions when the hosts did threaten to create a decent shooting opportunity.

The Derbyshire side will certainly look to be far more clinical when they visit their near neighbours on Friday for a place at Wembley.

'Like being interviewed at half-time' - Reaction

Webb: 'Stuff to work on'

Chesterfield assistant manager Danny Webb told BBC Radio Sheffield:

"Bits and bobs, bits of really good play at times and then a bit sloppy at other times.

"The penalty would have given us the lead and the whole place a real lift but sadly it wasn't to be.

"I think going into half time we were probably a bit off it. Second half was a lot better without really creating too many clear cut chances so there's stuff to improve on, stuff to work on.

"You have to give Notts County credit, they've come here and won 1-0. We're not going to discredit anything they did but they realise it's half-time as do we."

On forward Armando Dobra who went off in the first half with a shoulder injury: "It's not great. He's had to go to hospital for an x-ray and a scan on it. He wanted to carry on and got the hump when he came off but he was in a lot of pain so the change had to be made."

Notts County boss Martin Paterson told BBC Radio Nottingham:

"It's a strange feeling, it's like being interviewed at half-time.

"I thought we started the game ever so well and they won a penalty the first time they came in our box.

"First half we were good and second half they did things we had to contain.

"I thought we managed it quite well and there's lots of stuff there we can work on for the next game.

"I think you'd be an absolute fool to think that [the tie is won]."

Paterson: 'The key thing for me was we looked like we enjoyed it'

Related topics