Match Report

The pressure increased on Chesterfield boss Lee Richardson after more defensive errors condemned his team to defeat against an improving Macclesfield side.

The home fans called for Richardson's head as the visitors took full advantage of what the home manager later described as four Christmas presents.

Martin Gritton scored twice to take his tally to five in seven games and although Jamie Ward also grabbed a brace, Lee Bell and substitute Gareth Evans wrapped up a convincing victory.

The Spireites have struggled all season at the back and they were in trouble again when Gritton was allowed far too much space to turn and fire a low shot into the bottom right corner in the 23rd minute.

It got even worse for the home side two minutes later when the experienced Kevin Austin allowed Bell to stride through for the second.

There was a ray of hope on a wet, raw night when Macc skipper Sean Hessey made a hash of an attempted header back to his keeper and Ward gratefully fired low past the exposed Jonny Brain.

Ward could have equalised straight after the restart but Brain denied him and Jack Lester also squandered a good chance before another blunder, this time by skipper Robert Page, let in Gritton for his second.

Macclesfield almost allowed Chesterfield back in when Ward was given the chance to turn passed Izak Reid to score his 15th of the season, but the visitors calmed any jangling nerves when substitute Evans got through on the right and lobbed Trevor Carson from the edge of the area.

Both teams ended the game with ten men when home left-back Alan Goodall and Silkmen substitute Francis Green traded blows in stoppage time and were deservedly red-carded by Wiltshire referee Simon Hooper.

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides