Chesterfield Football Club

• Nickname:The Spireites
• Founded:1866
• Manager:John Sheridan

• Ground:Saltergate Recreation Ground
• Capacity:6879

Richardson explains free goal

10 Dec 2008 - 11:53:47

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Chesterfield manager Lee Richardson felt obliged to allow Droylsden to score a free goal during Tuesday's 2-2 FA Cup second round draw at Saltergate.

After the first meeting between the clubs was abandoned because of fog ten days ago, the rematch boiled over when Jack Lester scored a goal that enraged the visitors.

Droylsden had put the ball out of play to allow Carl Lamb to receive treatment in the 78th minute, but when Chesterfield took the throw in, Lester fired the ball over goalkeeper Craig Mawson and into the net.

The Blue Square North team were furious and there were angry scenes on the touchline, but referee Andy Woolmer had no alternative but to award the goal.

But Chesterfield then allowed Droylsden to walk the ball unchallenged from the kick-off with Steve Halford equalising.

"I can't condone what Jack did," said Richardson. "Whether or not he was meaning to score only he will know.

"We can't let that happen, it's against the spirit of the game."