
Jayden Luker’s first-half strike secured a 1-0 win for Notts County against Chesterfield in a keenly-contested play-off semi-final first leg, with the hosts missing an early penalty.
At a sold-out SMH Group Stadium, there was no love lost between the two sides as the Magpies secured a narrow advantage in their pursuit of League One football.
It was an end-to-end start to the game, and Chesterfield had a golden opportunity to open the scoring after just five minutes when Liam Mandeville was tripped in the area by Lucas Ness.
But the Spireites’ leading scorer, Lee Bonis, saw his spot-kick cannon off the base of a post.
The Magpies made Chesterfield rue the miss when Luker fired home Tom Iorpenda’s low cross in the 28th minute.
The game continued at an electric pace after the break, with Alassana Jatta seeing his effort blocked, while Tom Pearce and Janoi Donacien came close for the hosts.
Despite large swathes of possession, Chesterfield failed to produce anything to trouble James Belshaw, as County took a lead back to Meadow Lane ahead of Friday’s second leg.


